Betsey teaches 6th grade science at the South Middle School in Braintree, MA. She previously taught 7th and 8th grade science at the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School for 3 years in Orange, MA. Betsey worked as a park interpreter for DCR from 2002-2008 at the Erving State Forest.

As a middle school science teacher, I taught a semester of environmental science last spring. We learned a lot about the environment around us and how everything fits together.

We used our pond on campus to do some work with pH. Environmental education fits very well with the science curriculum. I want to share about a partnership that one of the English teachers in our grade, Sandy Vorce, incorporated into her curriculum. This event took place in celebration of Massachusetts Harvest for Students Week. She started working with Seeds of Solidarity as an intern during the Bridges to the Future program at UMASS. Seeds of Solidarity is a nonprofit organization that provides people of all ages with the inspiration and practical tools to use renewable energy and grow food in their communities.

Deb Habib, director of Seeds of Solidarity, and others came to lead Sandy and her students in building a school garden. This is a great way to connect students to the source of their food, improve nutrition habits, and get students involved in positive physical activity. All academic areas can be tied into the construction of these gardens. Sandy and members from Seeds of Solidarity introduced the project by having a food tasting with the students. Students then began the rigorous task of digging plots, leveling the surface, and constructing wooden frames to form four garden plots outside their classrooms. A miniature greenhouse was constructed for one of the plots. To prevent weeds, students laid a landscape cloth and covered it with wood chips. Students planted a variety of garden greens like lettuce, garlic, and spinach. These can all be harvested throughout the fall and into the winter.

The students are now responsible for maintaining the garden. They make sure that the mini-greenhouse is put down at night. Once the greens grow they will help harvest them and share them with students in their class or donate them to the cafeteria. This is a great way to incorporate Environmental Education into curriculum. Students are working hands on to produce food. They are learning about gardening and plants as well as construction of the frame. Students seemed to really enjoy the project.

Betsey Willis is a MEES Board Member / Clerk and a Middle School Science Teacher at the Ralph C Mahar Regional School