St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Day School in Bay Shore has done something different with their science program. In addition to the normal workload covered in the classroom, sixth grade students can also participate in planting and harvesting vegetables at the Cooperative Farm, located on the school grounds.

Jennifer Campbell pitched the program, called Junior Master Gardener, to Head of School John Caruso. The program was designed to give the students first-hand botany and horticulture experience. Students usually assist in planting in the spring and harvesting in the fall and are encouraged to spend as much time as they like on the farm, both during and after class hours.

The program is part of Caruso’s efforts to create a more involved science department. In order to further realize that goal, he plans on contacting the National Wildlife Federation in the hopes of establishing a Schoolyard Habitat program in the near future. St. Peter’s science department seems to be well on its way to offering its students the most immersive experience possible.

Shown in photo from left to right are Jonathan Force, Claudia Most, Jennifer Campbell, and Dan Archilla.