Sheckler Elementary School’s outdoor living classroom continues to grow and evolve, according to special education teacher Kristine Kostura.

Kostura mentioned students were excited with the outcome of the original courtyard project, located in the center of the school building.

“We initially wanted to fix up that area, and through the help of several teachers, local donations and volunteers, we were able to create outdoor spaces for gardening,” Kostura said.

She added they even installed a small pond with fish and a turtle.

From that original idea, the project took root and continued to grow. Several classes were being taught out in this living classroom, and Kostura began a gardening club with third- and fourth-grade students. Lessons about pollination led to the next major step in Sheckler Elementary’s outdoor learning spaces.

Kostura joined fellow Sheckler teachers Brad Evans and Dan Kotran in submitting a grant proposal over winter 2018-19 with the blessing of Superintendent of Schools Robert Spengler. They won the grant and began work on the new pollinator garden on the grounds of the elementary school. Through months of work, the garden became a reality.

According to Kostura, they decided during the 2019-20 school year to take the next step. They decided to create a pumpkin patch in the unused area on the school grounds where they typically hold bonfires.

“We took a chance, not knowing how the soil would be for growing,” Kostura said.

She noted they received a $100 donation from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and were able to buy seeds for 17 different types of pumpkins, gourds and squash to add variety to the pumpkin patch.

Kostura began growing the seeds at her home until the weather warmed up enough to transplant them outdoors. Her team tended to the plants and ensured they were weeded, watered and growing well.

The original plan was to have each classroom grow different seeds, so the students could study plant life cycles, learn about what plants need to grow, the parts of a plant and learn how to care for the plants as they grow. Each teacher would design lessons around their species of plant.

“We wanted the children to be a part of it from start to finish,” she said.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions put those plans on hold, but Kostura noted they will still be utilizing the pumpkin patch in lessons.

“We are optimistic we will be able to do great educational lessons with this current project to teach children more about natural science and get them outdoors,” she said. “We are currently thinking of ideas on how to incorporate our pumpkin patch with students this year with the challenges of COVID-19.”

Additionally, Kostura reported she won second place in a pollinator photo contest. Her prize was a gift card to Edge of the Woods, a native plant nursery in Orefield, to purchase more pollinator plants for the school’s garden.

She also noted they added a student-inspired rainbow fence around the pollinator garden that adds some fun color to the area.

“It’s been un‘bee’lievable the many positive things that have come from one small idea last year,” Kostura said.