Palm Bay Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation awarded a $5,000 Toolbox for Education grant to Jupiter Elementary School in Palm Bay for the Early Sprout Gardening Project. Jupiter Elementary School is one of more than 450 schools to be awarded a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant for school improvement projects benefiting K-12 public education across the United States during the 2009-2010 school year. The grant application was based on the goal of improving the learning community at Jupiter Elementary School.

Through the Toolbox for Education grant program, Jupiter Elementary staff, Pre-K/Kindergarten teachers, parents, students, administrators and employees from Palm Bay Lowe’s will work together to build raised beds for planting. When finished, the garden will be used as an outdoor science classroom. Students will have the opportunity to plant seasonal flowers, fruits, and vegetables as well as engage in hands-on science, math and language activities. Throughout the project, other grade levels will also be included so that students of all ages may have opportunities to volunteer and work in the garden.