Looking back at summer: Discovery Garden at Erskine

Several summer programs were hosted on the Erskine campus this year, among them the ninth annual Discovery Garden in July, with one session geared for children aged 5-7 and a second session for children 8-11 years old. The sessions were led by Professor Emerita of Biology Dr. Janice Haldeman and Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Naoma Nelsen with co-director Barbara Ervin ’77 and volunteers Jeanie Curry ’64, Haldeman’s grandson Erzhan Cochran, and Neely Bell, daughter of Paul Bell ’84 and Jeanne Bell ’92.

“Our theme was ‘Plants and Water,’ and we featured succulent plants with crafts of cactus stones and clay pots decorated and planted with a variety of succulents, including favorites such as Panda Plant, Donkey Tail, Sedum, and colorful Desert Gem cactus,” Haldeman said.

The campers conducted experiments and made observations learning how plants use water, how plants are structured to transport water, and how plants prevent soil erosion, she said. “They also produced and planted a garden of succulents on the sunny side of Erskine’s greenhouse.”

Photos of this year’s Discovery Garden program (also known as DIG) are posted on a large bulletin board in the Daniel•Moultrie Science Center (DMSC) across from Room 138.

At top, photo shows volunteers Erzhan Cochran, standing at left, and Jeanie Curry, seated at left, pose with some of this year’s Discovery Garden campers. At right are co-directors Dr. Naoma Nelsen, standing, and Dr. Janice Haldeman, seated.