Three new raised garden beds are transforming hands-on learning at North Dakota’s Gateway to Science (NDGTS). Donated by Vego Garden, the beds are now permanent fixtures in the Outdoor Explorium, where they are being used for everything from sensory gardens filled with herbs to science experiments led by local students.

A Garden to See, Smell, and Taste

A mobile raised bed has been turned into a sensory garden, where kids can touch, smell, and even taste plants like lavender, basil, mint, and nasturtium. Children love running their hands through the leaves and discovering new scents with each visit. It’s an instant favorite for campers and preschoolers alike, sparking curiosity and conversation while teaching the science of plants and the senses.

Space Science in the Garden

Students are using the raised beds to explore real-world science through Tomatosphere, a program that grows tomato plants from seeds that traveled to the International Space Station and compares them with seeds that stayed on Earth. They observe differences in germination and growth, learning about space science and plant biology in a hands-on way.

Testing Growing Mediums

Other experiments had students examining how beans grow in different soil mediums. They planted seeds in multiple soil types to see how the growing environment affects the plants’ health and development, recording their observations and discovering firsthand the role of soil in plant growth.

Discover Science Outdoors

These gardens bring kids closer to nature and closer to the science that shapes their world. The beds will continue to be used for programs that connect STEM learning to the natural environment, providing students and families with opportunities to engage with science in creative, hands-on ways. Vego Garden’s mission to make gardening accessible to everyone aligns with NDGTS’s commitment to hands-on STEM education, making this partnership a natural fit.

Stop by the Outdoor Explorium and see the gardens in action while the weather is beautiful!