"I didn't know this is where beans came from,” exclaimed one excited New Manchester Elementary School student.

"I can't believe my seed would actually grow,” said another.

As the plant life cycle science unit is in full swing at New Manchester, science teacher Marsha Edwards is facilitating hands-on learning for students in all grade levels.

“We are a STEM-certified school,” she said. “And fortunately, all of our students at NMES had the opportunity to explore the plant life cycle. Our younger students planted their seeds indoors, allowing them to closely observe the entire cycle from germination to mature plants. Our upper-grade students took their learning outdoors by planting seeds in our school garden.”

The school garden was actually designed by students and created using supplies donated by Plantlanta.

“We are very grateful for our students to have a space where they can learn and grow through hands-on learning,” Edwards added.

Currently, the fifth-grade students have taken responsibility for maintaining the garden and caring for the plants. Now that there are seedlings, the fifth graders are teaching the first graders how to care for and maintain the garden.

“This has been a beautiful opportunity for my students to learn from one another while developing responsibility and leadership skills,” she said.