The Outdoor Learning Center (OLC) is funded by the fabulous Bay Farm PTA. It is the largest garden program in Alameda and has two part-time garden teachers. Lorri Garrett teaches Kindergarten to 3rd grade and Laura McCunniff-Reid teaches 4th-7th grade. Every students has the opportunity to grow, harvest, cook and eat fruit and vegetables in the garden. It is truly a seed to table program, and is loved by the students and teachers. For more information about the garden, please contact lorri_garrett@hotmail.com.
The Bay Farm students go crazy for caterpillars. In 2011, we had at least 30 Caterpillars being taken care of in the classrooms throughout the school. From Anise Swallowtail to Monarch, the students got to watch the transformation from egg to butterfly. In fact, we even had a group of "caterpillar hunters" roaming around the gardens in search of the proper host plant to feed their caterpillar pet. The students were like proud parents when it was time to release their beautiful butterflies. You cannot get more hands on than that!
This year all of Miss Lorri's students will get to taste different pumpkin seeds.The 1st through 3rd grade classes got to make the Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe in the Outdoor Learning Center. The students love to taste the different flavors of seeds, and take polls of the favorite flavor. The only problem, is most kids choose ALL OF THEM. Here is the recipe if you are interested in roasting some yourself.
Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipe
Students love to create a salad bar with their harvest. No leftovers here! Yummy!
