On June 6, the Garden Club of Jacksonville welcomed a group of curious young scientists and their families for our Budding Gardeners: Mad Scientist program! Children in grades 1–6 spent the morning exploring the fascinating connections between science and nature through hands-on experiments, creative discovery, and plenty of fun. The program was inspired by the natural world and encouraged participants to see that science can be found all around them.
Throughout the morning, our budding scientists participated in several exciting experiments. They discovered how salt can change the freezing process by attaching ice to a piece of string using salty ice water, watched white flower petals transform as colored water traveled through the stems, and learned firsthand how plants absorb and transport water. The children also explored other science concepts inspired by the garden and natural environment while asking thoughtful questions and making observations along the way.
One of the highlights of the day was making and tasting homemade ice cream! Participants enjoyed learning about the science behind freezing and temperature changes before sampling the delicious creation. The combination of hands-on learning and tasty treats made for a memorable experience that kept everyone engaged and excited.
A special thank you to Marianne Salas for leading this fun and educational program and to the Late Bloomers Garden Club for proudly sponsoring the event. We are also grateful to all the families who joined us for a morning filled with curiosity, creativity, and discovery.
We look forward to seeing our young gardeners again at future Budding Gardeners programs as we continue exploring the wonders of gardening, conservation, wildlife, and the natural world together!
