WARSAW — Sixth grade students at Jefferson Elementary School recently completed a six-week sustainable gardening unit using tower gardens generously donated by local Warsaw company Da-Lite/Legrand.

Students had the opportunity to grow arugula, gourmet lettuce, bibb lettuce, chard and basil. Throughout this unit, students experimented with water conditions, light conditions and a variety of seed types. Finally, students used a sensory survey to explore the taste, texture and smell of the different vegetables.

“It was interesting to find out what the lettuce would taste like,” said Arianna, a sixth-grade student at Jefferson Elementary. “It smelled weird, but it tasted good.”

“My sixth-grader has loved the integration of STEM into the classroom every year, but it just keeps getting better and better,” said one Jefferson Elementary parent.

WCS and Jefferson Elementary School are excited about the strong partnerships with local businesses which help build strong communities.

“We are very excited about our sustainability partnership with Jefferson Elementary School,” said Mark Sproles, Da-Lite/Legrand customer care specialist and community outreach committee chair. “Being able to provide the students with the tools and resources they need to learn about sustainability is such an honor for all of us at Da-Lite. The updates and photos of the students’ progress and excitement is heartwarming. We look forward to a long-lasting partnership that is rewarding for both Jefferson and Da-Lite.”