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WHO: Students and Teachers at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Early Childhood Development Center
WHAT: Dedication of Experimental Garden and First Planting
WHEN: Friday, October 12 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: The Early Childhood Development Center at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi College of Education will hold a dedication for its new Experimental Garden for elementary school students Friday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. at the Early Childhood Development Center.

Following a brief ceremony, students and teachers will begin their first experiment by planting three plants that are native to the region along with three that are not. The purpose is to observe and document the growth patterns of both groups.
The outdoor garden classroom will employ a hands-on, minds-on learning approach for students who will be able to cross-pollinate flowers, use certain nutrients to yield bigger vegetables and conduct other experiments.

The Experimental Garden will focus on environmental education and also engage students in scientific, inquiry-based learning on how plant life is vital to ecosystems in our world. Aspiring teachers will also learn how to create learning experiences beyond their classrooms. The garden, which will emphasize soil experiments, will be the first of three outdoor classrooms. Future outdoor classrooms will focus on air and water.