OAKHURST, CA – Small but mighty, Oakhurst Seventh-Day Adventist Christian School has won a national prize.
Discovery Education and the Nutrients for Life Foundation, announced the winners of the 2016 Let It Grow Contest. This contest awards more than $10,000 in prizes to six schools nationwide as part of From the Ground Up: The Science of Soil, an education initiative that offers middle school students a deeper understanding of the importance of soil science.
Discovery Education is the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, and Nutrients for Life Foundation is an educational non-profit that teaches students and the public about the vital role soil nutrients play in growing our world.
Out of more than 30,000 entries nationwide, Oakhurst Seventh-Day Adventist Christian School received the votes needed to be named a national winner in the Let it Grow Contest and will receive a $1,000 agricultural grant and Nutrients for Life Foundation prize pack. Educators, parents and community members entered in the Let It Grow Contest by answering soil-related questions and voting daily for a school of their choice.
“We are so honored that our community has supported us in helping to grow our science department by voting for us to win this grant,” said Sonya Reaves, Principal and K-2 teacher at Oakhurst Seventh-Day Adventist Christian School. “We are excited to start growing our gardening project and eating the fruits of our labor!”
Launched in 2013, From the Ground Up: The Science of Soil offers middle school students, educators and families a suite of comprehensive digital resources including standards-aligned interactive lesson plans, digital explorations, bilingual family activities and agricultural career profiles. Designed to highlight the importance of soil, its nutrients and the science behind sustainable plant and crop growth, these resources are available at no cost and engage students of all learning styles.
“We congratulate the community of Oakhurst Seventh-Day Adventist Christian School for its active engagement throughout the contest that won their school a national prize,” said Nutrients for Life Foundation Chairman and Simplot Agribusiness President Garrett Lofto. “We are proud to award this agriculture grant to help these students learn more about growing plants and the need for crop nutrients for healthy plants.”
“Discovery Education is committed to providing students nationwide with engaging, interactive curriculum and resources that make science both relevant and exciting,” said Lori McFarling, Senior Vice President, Discovery Education. “We are proud to continue our partnership with the Nutrients for Life Foundation to offer dynamic digital resources and incentive opportunities like the Let It Grow Contest that connect science concepts to real-world examples through unique learning experiences that enhance student achievement.”
Visit the Oakhurst Seventh-Day Adventist School website here.
Submitted by Alycia Chanin, Discovery Education
