It was a fitting way to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 when Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic School (SSBVM) in Middletown unveiled its new outdoor Nature Lab.

The lab, located on the east side of the school building, includes raised garden beds for planting vegetables and fruits; bat, bird and butterfly houses; and equipment for studying the weather. Native perennial plant species have been planted around the lab.

"The lab is open for all teachers, prekindergarten through eighth grade, to utilize for lessons, as well as specials. Students have already had music lessons in the lab," stated Mindy Kennedy, SSBVM director of development. "It is primarily geared towards our young elementary students' science studies."

The hands-on classroom was the vision SSBVM principal Rebecca Harvey, who partnered with landscape designer Kevin Boustead of Stauffers of Kissel Hill to create the Nature Lab, which is designed to supplement the students' indoor, teacher-initiated model with outdoor, child-initiated activities.

"Children will be able to engage in all sorts of STEM activities, (such as) the study of pollination in the wildflower garden, insect life cycles in the woodland garden, the study of weather patterns using the various instruments and gauges and even chiropterology, the study of bats," said Harvey at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "They will be able to grow and taste herbs and vegetables, all in an effort to encourage healthy living."

Volunteers, including members of the Knights of Columbus from the Monsignor George V. Lentocha Council 3501 and Eagle Scout Michael Astfalk from Boy Scout Troop 594 helped construct the outdoor learning space, which was fully funded through donations from the community.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, special thanks was given to the Nature Lab supporters, creators and sponsors, including Whole Kids Foundation, Michael Astfalk and Avery Askins from Boy Scout Troop 594, Stauffers of Kissel Hill, Tyson Fence Co., Criss Designs, Best Line Equipment, SSBVM parishioners and school families, the Sides and DesJardins families, SSBVM school board members Rick Attivo and Tom Thorpe, Diocese of Harrisburg assistant superintendent Margaret Barrett and the Rev. Ted Keating.

SSBVM is currently finalizing plans for its first Makers Market, an outdoor craft fair, to be held on Saturday, May 8, from noon to 4 p.m. at the school, located at 360 E. Water St., Middletown.

The craft show will feature goods by local makers and crafters, as well as SSBVM students. Vendor fees from the craft fair will benefit SSBVM's S.T.R.E.A.M. Lab, scheduled to open this fall. The S.T.R.E.A.M. Lab will allow students to take part in projects involving science, technology, religion, engineering, art and math.

All state safety guidelines will be followed during the Makers Market, including mask wearing and social distancing. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/ssbvmschool and choose Events.

Enrollment is now open at SSBVM for preschool summer camp as well as the 2021-22 school year for students in preschool through eighth grade. Visit http://www.sevensorrowsschool.com or email mkennedy@ssbvm.org to learn more.