Student to create garden at former elementary school

A Deptford High School junior and Boy Scout wants to give back to the community by building a pollinator garden at his former elementary school.

Connor Becker’s idea for the Lake Tract Elementary School garden is part of the 17-year-old’s Eagle Scout project. Wearing his Scout uniform, he presented the idea to the board of education at its June 10 meeting.

“Just from seeing everything that’s been there and the progression,” he said, “I feel like it would be a great addition for educational purposes.”

Becker – who had already brought the idea to Lake Tract Elementary’s principal – wants to place the garden on school property that has not been in use for years. He brought blueprints for the project with him to the board meeting and gave copies to its members. The garden is expected to be in the shape of a baseball diamond and will be wheelchair accessible.

Becker wants the garden to be a resource that can be incorporated into the school’s science curriculum, including fifth grade unit one, interdependent relationships with ecosystems.

“One of my goals for this,” he explained, “was for this to be used as a pseudo-outdoor classroom where the science classes can go outside and be able to view the flowers, plants and insects that are going to be around here.

“I believe this will help show the relationship with flowers and bees and how they depend on each other,” Becker noted, adding that the garden can also be applied to lessons on growth and development of particles for the third grade in unit five.

“I believe that having a visual to the physical plants and flowers grow in that area will definitely help more.”

The board formally approved the project at its meeting, earning a round of applause from residents in attendance. The garden’s construction is expected to be completed over the summer, according to the school district.

“Thank you, Connor, for what you are doing for our community,” board President Joe McKenna said to the teen. “We appreciate it.”