GEAR UP High School Students Take to the Runway with GreenSchool
Charlotte Smith is the Assistant Educator for Schools and Out-of-School Programs, and Tai Montanarella is the Marian S. Heiskell Associate Director of School and Out‑of‑School Programs at the New York Botanical Garden.
It turns out that even the most aloof adolescents can’t resist the tempting orchid-powered world of NYBG’s creation, The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion. We discovered this when more than 30 Bronxdale High School students braved the rain, bitter cold, and miles-long walk via the Garden’s East Gate, seemingly lured by this iconic botanical beauty. And not just for one day, but three.
They were part of GEAR UP, a college readiness program that partners with Children’s Education in the goal of turning higher education resources into vital experiences (THRIVES). Experiential learning is GreenSchool’s specialty; for the past 15 years we’ve partnered with the Bronx Institute at Lehman College and our NYBG colleagues to design workshops imbued with the Garden’s mission of horticulture, conservation research, and education. For this recent program, the unique color, shape, and texture of the orchid flower served as our fashion-forward curriculum star.
Take our word for it; the connections between botany and sartorial style run deep. The days were complex and the disciplinary relationships rigorous—did we mention the walking? Luckily, you can sit back and read the shorthand version about their studies here.
Day 1: Wednesday, February 28—Horticulture
“I think that I do have a greater appreciation for orchids because I wasn’t aware how sacred and valuable the rare plants are.”
—Bronxdale High School Participant
Day 2: Wednesday, March 6, 2024—Research and Conservation
Preserved plants help us “see how the world is changing by comparing plants” and can show “how different nature can change.”
—Bronxdale High School Participant
Day 3: Wednesday, March 13, 2024—Education
“I might consider being a florist so I can discover many other pretty flowers and plants.”
—Bronxdale High School Participant
In the end, these teens simply followed the footsteps of generations of scientists intrigued by finding and describing unimaginable orchids; but we suspect it was the special care shown by those who make partnerships like this possible today who truly captured their curiosity and inspired them to keep coming back.
So, in celebration of orchids and the perfect pairing of plants and people, thank you to our partners at The Bronx Institute, Bronxdale High School, Garden colleagues, and our GreenSchool educators for sharing your personal and professional flair and “walking the orchid runway” with GEAR UP. Your commitment makes all the difference to encourage our young neighbors to see NYBG as a place for them. As we all know, fashion is fleeting and styles change, but the mission of protecting and preserving plants is for life.
We look forward to welcoming back Bronxdale students and other GEAR UP high schools for Wonderland: Curious Nature programming during the sunny and warm days of spring and summer break.
Coordination and execution of the 2024 Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness THRIVES partnership with The Bronx Institute is by Jada Henry and Charlotte Smith. Jada recently earned an M.S. in Biological Sciences specializing in Ecology at Fordham University and Charlotte joined us with a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont.
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