Cultivating Curiosity

Thanks to the “Cultivating Curiosity” grant from the Splendora ISD Education Foundation, students in Joanna Muirhead’s fourth-grade science classes at Peach Creek Elementary are bringing science lessons to life through hands-on learning in a new school garden.

Grant funds were used to purchase eight raised garden beds with trellises, soil, seeds, shovels, and gardening gloves for fourth-grade students. Since launching the project this semester, students have enthusiastically participated in every step of the process — from spreading soil in the raised beds to planting sunflower seeds and monitoring rainfall totals using rain gauges.

Students recently began growing bean seeds in peat pods and will soon transplant the sprouts outdoors. Through the garden project, students are gaining real-world experience observing plant life cycles, ecosystems, weather patterns, and environmental science concepts directly in their outdoor classroom.

“I am very excited to establish our school garden at the new Peach Creek campus,” said Joanna Muirhead. “This is our first semester using the ‘Cultivating Curiosity’ Splendora ISD Education Foundation grant with our fourth-grade science classes.”

As the school year continues, students plan to add radishes and flowers to the garden. The project will also continue throughout the summer with support from the Peach Creek Elementary maintenance crew led by Danny Shores.

The garden recently received another exciting opportunity after being accepted into the Junior Master Gardener program. Through the partnership, local Montgomery County Master Gardeners will provide support and guidance for the growing project.

Muirhead also expressed appreciation to Jo Picken with the Montgomery County Extension Agency for her helpful advice and gardening recommendations throughout the planning process.

When students return for the 2026-2027 school year, the program hopes to expand the garden even further by adding fall vegetables and continuing to grow opportunities for hands-on science learning at Peach Creek Elementary.