May 21, 2009 – Fifth-graders Jay, Karen, and Sarah (pictured, left to right) planted onions in Carlson's Outdoor Learning Environment in March, during our spring intersession, and now, over two months later, they are harvesting their impressive crop.

For this project, students researched the plants' requirements for productive growth and then did some careful planning with regard to area, spacing, and numbers. For example, the students made measurements and calculations to answer such questions as "How much space do we have?" "How far apart do the plants need to be?" and "How many can we plant?"

After the plants were in the ground, the students monitored their growth and provided needed care, especially watering and weeding.

Fifth-grade teachers Randi Higgins and Donnette Durham collaborated with their intersession students on this multidisciplinary, applied-learning project.