ROCK SPRINGS – Earth day and its meaning has taken on a global importance in the recent years. But for one local sixth-grade class, it is much closer to home.

Sixth-grade instructor at Pilot Butte Elementary Michelle Blake has been teaching the important lessons for a couple of years. This year, the students learned about growing plants.

Student Koby Cranford said learning about Earth Day is a great opportunity because it really shows what can be done to change to the community. After this year’s lesson Cranford said, “We know how to grow things now.”

This year, Blake taught the students about plants and their importance. Quick-growing tomato plants are already reaching into the sky in the classrooms, reflecting the student’s growing knowledge.

Luke Walker said he has learned Earth Day is more important than he first thought. He said now he knows how to grow his own food and is excited to continue to use what he has learned from Mrs. Blake.

Instead of running out and buying fruits and vegetables, Kevin Jennings said he now knows how to grow his own.

Not only are students learning how to grow their own food,  they are also learning the required curriculum with a little “outside-of-the-box” teaching. The students are also learning aspects of science such as photosynthesis and how it works.

For student Myla Ruiz it is teaching her even more than that. She said it has taught her that she has to be responsible if the plant is going to grow. She has to water it and make sure it is taken care of.

There was much more than tomato plants on desks. The students are also growing a flower from a bulb for Mother’s Day and were planting peas on Wednesday for another fun summer treat.