SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Elementary school students from Dr. Martin Luther King School in Syracuse will plant strawberries in raised beds and monitor their growth as part of a Cornell research project to study how well the Albion variety of strawberry plants perform in urban gardens.
This project is a good example of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) emphasis curriculum at MLK School. This focus seeks to empower students to make a positive impact in their classroom, school, and community. In 4-H STEAM, supportive relationships are created in order cultivate wonder and fuel learning through investigation and design. Youth and adults work together to create new understanding and design community solutions. 4-Hers grow to become leaders and serve their community using STEAM.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County is sponsoring the event on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Activities will start at 9:30 a.m. with breakfast for students. Cameras and reporters are welcome.
At 10:00 a.m. Cornell Cooperative Extension Small Fruit Specialist Anya Osatuke, along with Agriculture Specialist Jenny Smith from CCE Onondaga, and Steven Vincent from Dr. King School will be available to answer questions about the strawberry research project and the students’ role.
Former Syracuse Common Councilor and CCE Onondaga Board of Directors Alumnus Mike Atkins will help coordinate maintenance of the strawberry crop and other vegetables planned for raised beds at MLK.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension Onondaga County