As many of you might or might not know, I have decided to focus my senior project on a vegetable garden for Oakbrook. How did I come up with this idea? Well, last year I went to see the documentary FoodInc with my mom, and it really made me think about our food culture. So many of us eat without knowing the ingrediants of our food. How did we become so separated from something that sustains the very essence of our physical being? I have a passion for health, which is no surprise seeing as my mother herself is a doctor/nutritionist. Though they keep the economy afloat, I can't help but dislike fastfood corporations for their quality of food and their message of how food should be eaten. Fastfood has really become a lifestyle for so many people because it is cheap and convenient. It has largely become known as the "American culture", which I hope no one is proud of. I aim to discourage that mindset specifically at Oakbrook through my senior project this year. What better way to do so than to create Oakbrook's very own garden?
Though the task may seem easy, it will prove to be quite a challenge for me. My family has had gardens in the past, but I am by no means an expert on the matter. Planting a garden will be a great learning experience for me that will hopefully have a lasting impact on not only myself, but the Oakbrook community. I hope that my garden idea presents numerous academic opportunities for Oakbrook's lower school science department. The elementary students will be able to actually witness the tangible wonders of science such as photosynthesis and gain insight and knowledge of science-in-the-making by observing the plants grow. I plan to have the garden located in the little nook behind the gym and dance room, where there is a sufficient water source and good sun exposure. The garden will have a small fence surrounding it to keep all the critters and rodents out and to keep the contents enclosed. To give the seeds good, nutritious soil to grow in, I aim to have several compost bins located in various areas at Oakbrook, where the students may throw their banana peels, orange peels, etc. Hopefully, students will comply with my needs and NOT use the compost bins as trash cans, which I will need to clearly communicate to the student body. Along with the garden, I would like to have a "health corner" article in the Silver Scroll that students can read throughout the course of the year to learn small health tips. I believe that it is important for youth to know basic health information now so they can start healthy habits today for tomorrow's benefit.
You may be wondering how I am going to finance all the materials I will be needing for my garden. Well, donations are always welcome! I will be needing tools for Oakbrook's keep, and obviously the seeds themselves, along with other necessities that I won't mention here. So, these are my ideas and I hope you've enjoyed reading. Any comments or ideas or criticisms are welcome! Thank you for the future support!
