It is our goal as science educators to teach our students how our mission ties into environmental stewardship and increase student involvement in developing biodiversity on the Notre Dame Preparatory School campus.
Our Priorities
- Convert landscape and create state‐designated pollinator habitat.
- Establish native plant species to support native pollinators and honeybees.
We are called to…
- Be stewards of God’s creation as Christian People
- Take care of the earth and all its inhabitants as Upright Citizens
- Provide opportunities for students to put their learning into action as Academic Scholars
Melissa Kozyra Greenhouse and Botany Learning Lab
Our state‐of‐the‐art facility—open to students of all ages—features Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and Bato Bucket hydroponics systems. Under the direction of a faculty greenhouse manager, NDP students help operate and maintain the facility. They can take elective science courses such as Botany and Horticulture starting in 10th grade. As part of their learning they grow fruits, leafy greens, and flowers and plants, which they donate to various organizations in Oakland County and beyond.
Living Beehives
As pollinators, honeybees provide a crucial service to the plant reproductive cycle, and thereby support the food web of our ecosystem. Notre Dame supports these insects—voracious in their appetite for nectar—while studying their fascinating behavior.
We have three active honey beehives on school grounds, enabling NDP bee students to engage in hands-on learning.
Upper school students in our Bee Club do routine hive checks, harvest honey, and provide seasonal hive maintenance. During the winter months, they continue their bee education, and also sell honey and beeswax lip balm to fellow students, faculty and staff.
Mary's Restorative Nature Garden
Mary's Restorative Nature Garden, located behind the greenhouse, is a Certified Schoolyard Habitat through the National Wildlife Foundation and a Certified Monarch Waystation. These designations reflect our commitment to creating, conserving, and protecting habitats for the monarch butterfly and other native pollinators.
The garden is predominantly planted with Michigan native plants to help feed and support local wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and bees. The NDP Garden Club works alongside the greenhouse manager to maintain the space and add new plantings each year. Club members also harvest seeds from native flowers, grow new plants, and sell them to help students and staff add native species to their own backyards, further supporting Michigan's ecosystems.
