Humble ISD elementary students participate in tulip planting

Peggy Clarey, Maplebrook Elementary kindergarten teacher, discusses how to plant a bulb with a few of her students.

The Humble Independent School District has embarked upon a tulip planting project that involves elementary students from 26 district campuses.

According to a district press release, the national effort is called Journey North and was made possible by a grant from Waste Management. The company purchased a tulip bulb for every kindergarten student to plant, monitor and care for over the next several months.

Kindergartners from across the northern hemisphere will track the growth of their Red Emperor tulip as the seasons change. The educational project will allow the children to learn about plant life-cycles, growth and seasonal changes in plant structure.

"In Journey North, our students are sharing data with students across the nation," said Alison Pierce, elementary science coordinator for the district, in the release. "They understand the importance of making detailed observations and taking accurate measurements because students in other states are depending on Humble's work to forecast the arrival of spring."

The tulips have already been planted in raised gardening beds, donated earlier by Waste Management. The company has been involved with the district's science department for several years and has provided support and materials to enhance the science programming on all district levels, according to the release.

"My students are very quick to point out which tulip is theirs," said Peggy Clarey, kindergarten teacher at Maplebrook Elementary, in the release. "They are very protective of their own plants and proud of their efforts."

Humble Independent School District is at 20200 Eastway Village Drive, Humble.

For more information, call 281-641-1000 or visit www.humble.k12.tx.us.

Humble ISD serves the city of Humble, portions of Houston and parts of unincorporated Harris County.