Sunflower art and science- a midsummer treat By Lorie Hammond, Master Gardener 2024

In conjunction with Davis Farm to School, I have been developing a partnership, as a Master Gardener, with Gan Haverim Preschool in Davis. It began with a teacher workshop in early June, at which we planned the preschool summer garden. Then teachers planted sunflowers with their preschool classes in pots to take home, and in large pots to enjoy at school.  As a follow-up, on June 27, I worked with both preschool classes (ages 2-3 and 4-5) to discuss the life cycle of the sunflower and its relationship with pollinators. I used a large poster I drew of stages in the life cycle, bringing real sunflower seeds (black seeds sold as birdseed) to illustrate the importance of seed production. Then children participated in an art project to express what they had learned.

Sunflowers are such a wonderful and showy summer flower that they always captivate children’s attention. I brought real sunflowers (from Trader Joe’s- mine weren’t ready yet) and placed them in a tall vase in the center of the table. Then I gave each child a piece of recycled cardboard (about 8” x 10”) as a background, and told them they could make a sunflower any way they liked. I also brought cut outs of green paper (long shapes for stems, and triangles for leaves), yellow triangles and diamonds for petals, real sunflower seeds, and white glue with brushes. Each group of two children shared a glue. Eight children at a time did the project, in about five rotations so that everyone could participate.

After children completed their collages, I asked them to tell the story of their sunflower. Either the teacher or I wrote it down on the cardboard. Finally, they were given a treat: a sticker of either a bee or a butterfly to place on their sunflower to “pollinate” it.

As a long-term school garden teacher, I have always found it powerful to combine science and art lessons. Children participate in a lesson, then express their understandings through art, and sometimes through statements about their art. We learn more about how children think if we do not force children to copy a model, but rather allow them to express themselves as they choose. Collage materials provide a nice opportunity for even young children to create realistic but varied images.

A partnership between Gan Haverim, Davis Farm to School and me as a Master Gardener is developing through workshops with teachers and occasional activities with children. What could be more fun on a summer day than preschoolers making sunflowers?