Green thumbs are part of hands-on curriculum at new Harvest Baptist Academy greenhouse

Harvest Baptist Academy sixth grader Kate Blakeslee is feeling a summer vibe despite the lingering chill outside her Harrison school.

The 12-year-old has spent recent class time plotting a garden with crops of oregano, cucumbers and tomatoes well on their way.

“We got to put seeds in the pots, and now we wait for them,” said Kate, who with her classmates planted plenty of basil and other herbs. “We got to paint the pots, too.

“It’s really cool because it was warm in here and it was cold outside.”

The greenhouse is the newest hands-on space for the students, and it was built with the intention of boosting collaboration and creativity.

The large open space is equipped with heated floors to accommodate students year-‘round.

The private school off Route 908 has poured $500,000 into STEM curriculum in recent years with purchases of Smartboards, Chromebooks and now an enclosed greenhouse, Administrator Charlie Rousey said.

Constructed in the courtyard, the building is made of hemlock lumber from an Amish sawmill. It took more than a year to piece together with an all-volunteer crew, including some parents with architectural and engineering experience.

“It was 15 people every weekend,” Rousey said. “It was a lot of work, but it turned out amazing.”

Rousey said the cost was about $100,000, which he said is about one-third of the estimate for a professional build.

Sliding doors lead to a wood shop. On the second floor is a classroom where students can take electives such as automotive skills or meet for small-group discussions.

“We designed it to fit our purposes for a growing enrollment,” Rousey said.

There are about 280 students at the school — up from 150 just three years ago.

The public will be invited to enjoy crops grown by the school’s green thumbs. The Greenhouse Garden Center eventually will be open Sundays for sales of peppers, squash, zucchini, kale and more.

Any excess will be used for school lunches or be sent to local food banks.

Fourth grader Eden Hicks, 9, couldn’t wait to dig in and plant some oregano. But what she really is waiting to see sprout are the green peppers.

“I might be really excited because we get to eat them,” she said.