Recipient: Jessica Garner, Early Childhood Teacher
Grant-Funded Items: Aquariums, Tadpoles, Egg Incubator
Bringing science to life for young learners, Jessica Garner’s Learning Life Cycle in Early Childhood grant has transformed her classroom into a hands-on exploration of nature. Thanks to funding from the Lansing Educational Foundation (LEF), students have had the incredible opportunity to witness tadpoles transforming into frogs, caterpillars becoming butterflies, and chicks hatching from eggs—experiences that make the life cycle truly come alive.
"We have been able to have an up close view of tadpoles becoming frogs, caterpillars becoming butterflies, and this spring we will incubate eggs and hatch them into chicks," said Mrs. Garner. "The kids love being able to see things in real life action vs a book or puzzle. Each day little peepers gazed through aquarium windows searching for signs of legs on the tadpoles or a chrysalis hatching."
While not every tadpole successfully made it to its pond release, the students showed resilience and curiosity, embracing every part of the learning process.
Last year, before receiving the grant, Mrs. Garner and her team borrowed supplies to hatch chicks. The experience was so impactful that teachers recorded the hatching process to play back for students during recess or circle time. Now, with an incubator of their own, the program can continue year after year, making hands-on science a lasting part of early childhood education.
Mrs. Garner is passionate about active, experience-based learning, following the motto:
"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."
She hopes these experiences will become core memories for her students, sparking a lifelong love of learning and discovery.
Thanks to the LEF for making this vision a reality!
