Experiential School Garden Named Certified Monarch Waystation

The Experiential School garden is a space for discovery and hands-on learning for our youngest Chargers. Now, the garden is also a safe haven for monarch butterflies. The Experiential School garden was recently certified as an official Monarch Waystation by MonarchWatch.org. 

Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall. 

According to Junior Kindergarten teacher Abbie Hahn, "We started working on the design of our garden with the intention that it would provide a habitat to the monarchs as they migrate/lay their eggs as well as a nectar source for the second grade bees."

In their official certification packet, MonarchWatch.org commended the students, "By creating and maintaining a Monarch Waystation you are contributing to monarch conservation, an effort that will help assure the preservation of the species and the continuation of the spectacular monarch migration phenomenon."

The gardens also create opportunities for students to collaborate across campus and connect projects at different grade levels. The Experiential School students have observed honeybees from the second graders' plants and pollinators project enjoying the same plants as the butterflies. Mrs. Hahn adds, "The children have noticed many bees in the garden and we have talked about how bees are the great pollinators of our planet and should be protected and not feared. As I took the photo 4 bees were circling the flowers and the children didn't show any sign of fear. I love that our gardening project is fostering a deep sense of appreciation of all the amazing insects that inhabit our world!" 

The Shorecrest Core Values are reinforced through the project as well. The students are learning respect for the environment and the responsibility to care for it and its creatures. 

"We are very excited to continue teaching the children about the life cycle and migration patterns of these beautifully beneficial insects," says Mrs. Hahn. "The monarch population has been struggling and we are happy to be a part of helping them flourish once again."

View a video clip of Chargers with the butterflies here.