Kuumba Preparatory School

Happy Earth Day everybody!

Today we're celebrating our favorite outdoor classroom. From observing pollinators to testing soil pH, our student scientists are learning that every day is when you're growing your own food.

Question: If you could plant anything in your garden to help the planet, what would it be? Let us know in the comments!

Who says math class has to stay inside?

Recently, our students took their measuring tapes to the school garden to get our raised beds ready for spring planting.

Their mission: Measure the length, width, and depth in inches, convert those numbers into cubic feet, and calculate exactly how much compost we need to order to fill them up.

It's one thing to calculate volume on a worksheet, but another to calculate it when you’re standing in the dirt.

Students had a blast enjoying this perfect intersection of nature and numbers!

We had an incredible time at the Friends of the National Arboretum’s Spring Into School Gardening event this past Saturday!

A special thank you to UDC College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences for their generous donation of a diverse array of seedlings to support our school gardens.

Events like this go beyond planting, they cultivate connection, curiosity, and confidence.

Our students had the opportunity to engage with peers, learn new gardening skills, and gather the tools and resources needed to prepare their gardens for a successful spring season.

Moments like these remind us that hands-on learning experiences not only strengthen our gardens, but also help grow the next generation of thoughtful, engaged stewards of their communities.

Spring has officially arrived, and with it, a perfect opportunity to explore the science that shapes our world.

This week, our students dove into the Earth’s revolution around the sun and explored how this movement influences seasons, weather patterns, and life across the northern and southern hemispheres.

What may seem like a simple shift in seasons is actually the result of precise positioning within our solar system. Conditions that make life as we know it possible.

Through hands-on learning and thoughtful discussion, students connected science to the world around them, gaining a deeper appreciation for how our planet works and why it matters.

At The Good Foodie, we believe that understanding the world around us, its rhythms, its science, and its interconnectedness, helps young people become better stewards of the planet and more curious learners.

As the days grow longer and the soil begins to warm, we’re excited to keep exploring how Earth’s natural cycles shape the food we grow, the meals we share, and the communities we build.

Here’s to a season of growth, discovery, and fresh beginnings.

Last month, we asked students to design and build a trellis using only string and popsicle sticks to support the seedlings they started during our jar germination project.

What began as a simple engineering challenge quickly became a lesson in creativity, collaboration, and persistence.

After testing ideas, adjusting designs, and working together to solve problems, our students successfully built trellis structures strong enough to support their growing plants as they transitioned from jars into real garden planters.

Some ideas focused on stability. Others experimented with height, angles, and weaving patterns to guide the vines upward. Every design reflected thoughtful problem-solving and hands-on learning.

We are so proud of our students for observing a problem, designing a solution, testing their ideas, and improving their work along the way.

Let us know what you think of their final design.

This week, our students used microscopes to explore the hidden details of nature right in our garden.

Before beginning their investigation, students learned about the different parts of the microscope, how each part functions, and the importance of safe and careful use of scientific tools.

Once they were ready, the real discovery began. Students examined various samples and were amazed by what they could see up close.

Through the microscope, they observed plant cells, tiny organisms, and fascinating patterns that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

What looked like an ordinary leaf or drop of water suddenly became a window into a whole new world.

Activities like this help turn curiosity into investigation and gardens into living laboratories.

We just launched a new segment that goes far beyond planting seeds. Students will investigate the role of the Sun as our primary source of energy and explore how its light and heat make life possible on Earth.

Through discussion and hands-on observation, they will learn how Earth’s position in the Solar System places it in the “Goldilocks zone” allowing water to remain liquid and ecosystems to thrive.

Students will connect these big-picture astronomical concepts to what they see happening in the garden every day. They will examine how sunlight drives photosynthesis, how weather patterns influence plant growth, and how seasonal shifts affect animals and insects.

By linking space science to , students will understand that our garden is part of a much, much, larger system. Namely, the planet, Solar System, and even the Galaxy.

This integrated approach transforms the garden into a gateway for exploring astronomy, climate science, and environmental stewardship, making science tangible, relevant, and deeply connected to our students’ everyday experiences.

One of our students asked us why some of their plants were growing faster than others. That question led to broader classroom discussions about traits, competition, and survival. It turned into a powerful science moment because it allowed us to explore the fact that, like people, every plant does not grow the same way, even when they’re planted at the same time and cared for equally.

After returning to class from this week’s snow emergency closures in Washington, DC, our students were greeted by drooping plants. Instead of giving up, they jumped into problem-solving, debating the best ways to support weakened stems and help their plants recover. This is exactly why we love jar germination. Students don’t just observe growth, they ask questions, test ideas, collaborate, and connect science to real life. Creativity, resilience, and ingenuity in action.