 Picture yourself in a bright, warm setting with exquisite flowers surrounding you. Now imagine that you are the one who raised these plants and flowers.
Does this appeal to you? If so, then W.F. West has the perfect class: botany. Many students do not know a lot about this class because it is not as publicized as much as other classes nor is it a class that is mandatory. But it is a class that involves learning how to grow plants and flowers and doing hands on work in the greenhouse.
"They (students) generally look at it as a science class. Most don't know what it is and when they hear it's about gardening, they really get repulsed," said Carissa Ames, a sophomore who took botany last year.
On the contrary, botany is more than just a gardening class, according to Kristen Larson, the teacher. Many students in the class find it to be an important one. They learn skills in the class that will help them with other science classes. The skills they learn can also help them in their own lives and may get them a job later in life.
"I think botany is an alternative to biology," said Larson.
Botany and biology have to do with the study of life. Botany focuses mainly on plants and the environment, but could provide help with studies done in biology.
Students in botany class do not find it fun all the time, but there are perks that they seem to enjoy. "It is interesting when we get to go to the greenhouse," said junior Jennifer Doven.
In the greenhouse, students put their knowledge to the test. They practice what they learn and get to have fun while they are doing it. "The greenhouse smells funny, but you get dirty and have fun in there," said sophomore Tiffany Swinehart.
Larson agreed that it is important for them to get out there and practice what they learn. "I have observed a strong sense of accomplishment and pride when they can get their plants to grow," she said.
As for what is grown in the greenhouse, it is an array of flowers and plants that would be found in most gardens and greenhouses. "We grow all kinds of flowers," said Swinehart.
Knowing the skills of how to take care of plants and flowers helps the students now and may help them in the future. "Now I know how to take care of flowers and make them look good instead of crummy," said Ames.
There are also a wide variety of jobs that use skills from botany class. One could work in a nursery , as a florist, or in the field of agricultural landscaping.
Ames also like the class for another reason. "There is not a lot of homework," she said
Interest in botany seems to be growing among W.F. West students by the rising numbers of students in the class and the eagerness the students in the class show. Whether it is the interest they have in plants and flowers or if it is that alluring smell coming from the greenhouse, is uncertain.
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