SCIENCE IN FULL BLOOM

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March 2, 2026

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

From PreK exploration to advanced horticulture and botany, a high-tech, certified greenhouse anchors a dynamic, research-informed science program at Notre Dame Prep.

At Notre Dame Preparatory School, science is not confined to textbooks or traditional lab benches. It grows, quite literally, in the Melissa Kozyra Greenhouse and Botany Learning Lab, a state-of-the-art facility that serves students from PreK through 12th grade.

Under the leadership of Laura Elwood NDP ’10, biology teacher and greenhouse manager, the space has evolved into a living classroom that blends ecology, technology, environmental stewardship and hands-on scientific research. The result is a distinctive program that positions Notre Dame Prep at the forefront of experiential science education among other schools in Southeast Michigan.

“This space allows our students to experience science as something living and dynamic,” Elwood said. “They’re not just learning about plant systems or ecosystems in theory. They’re growing, measuring, testing and observing them every day.”

A high-tech hub for hands-on science

The Melissa Kozyra Greenhouse is more than a traditional school greenhouse. Designed as a controlled growing environment, it supports year-round study with advanced climate controls, irrigation systems and dedicated lab space for plant science research.

Students in upper grades use the facility to conduct experiments on plant growth, soil composition, hydroponics and sustainability practices. Data collection and analysis are embedded into coursework, reinforcing scientific methodology and critical thinking skills.

The greenhouse has earned multiple certifications that underscore its environmental impact and academic rigor. It has received recognition as a Monarch Waystation and certification from the Wildflower Association of Michigan for its commitment to biodiversity and native plantings. These honors reflect both ecological stewardship and the integration of authentic environmental science into the curriculum.

Elwood said the certifications validate the work students are already doing.

“Our students understand that their work here has real ecological consequences,” she said. “When we talk about biodiversity or habitat loss, they can see how planting native species or supporting pollinators directly contributes to solutions.”

A sanctuary for pollinators — and for learning

Adjacent to the greenhouse is Mary’s Restorative Nature Garden, a certified Monarch Waystation created to support pollinators. In the 2024–25 school year, more than 1,100 native flowers were planted in eight garden beds with the help of parent and student groups. The garden features milkweed and nectar-rich blooms essential to monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

The space has become both a research site and a reflective environment. Students study plant-pollinator interactions, biodiversity and conservation strategies while also experiencing the mental and emotional benefits of outdoor learning.

Research from the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments highlights that school gardening programs can promote student mental health, reduce stress and strengthen engagement. Exposure to green spaces has been linked to improved mood, increased focus and stronger connections to school communities.

At Notre Dame Prep, those findings are evident in daily practice.

“When students step into the greenhouse or garden, you can see a shift,” Elwood said. “It becomes a space where they feel grounded and curious at the same time. That combination is powerful for learning.”

Science education across all grade levels

The impact of the Melissa Kozyra Greenhouse extends well beyond upper-level science electives. From the earliest grades, students are introduced to plant life cycles, basic ecology and environmental responsibility.

PreK and elementary students visit the greenhouse to observe seedlings, explore textures and colors, and learn foundational scientific vocabulary. Middle school students build on that knowledge with more structured investigations, often collaborating with upper school mentors.

By high school, students can enroll in two dedicated semester-long courses inspired by the greenhouse and gardens:

Horticulture (Fall): Students explore plant science, technology, business and design through hands-on work in the greenhouse. The course integrates concepts such as sustainable agriculture, greenhouse management and entrepreneurship.

Botany (Spring): Students study plant anatomy, physiology and reproduction, conducting in-depth investigations into how plants grow and function at the cellular and systemic levels.

These courses provide both academic rigor and practical experience, preparing students for college-level science and careers in environmental science, biology, agriculture and related fields.

“Our goal is to help students see the full scope of plant science,” Elwood said. “It’s ecology, yes, but it’s also technology, innovation and even business. The greenhouse lets us connect all those threads.”

Research-backed benefits

National research supports the model Notre Dame Prep has embraced. According to the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments, school gardening programs can improve academic performance, strengthen social-emotional skills and foster a sense of belonging. Studies have also shown that hands-on environmental education can increase student motivation and retention of scientific concepts.

Greenhouses in school settings offer additional advantages: year-round growing cycles, opportunities for controlled experiments and exposure to sustainable practices such as composting and water conservation. These environments support STEM education by integrating biology, chemistry, environmental science and data analysis in a single, immersive setting.

At Notre Dame Prep, those benefits are intentionally woven into the curriculum.

“We’re teaching students how to ask questions, design experiments and think critically about environmental challenges,” Elwood said. “The greenhouse gives them a place to apply those skills in real time.”

A distinctive resource for prospective families

For families considering Notre Dame Prep, the Melissa Kozyra Greenhouse and Botany Learning Lab represents more than an attractive campus feature: It reflects the school’s broader commitment to innovative, research-informed education.

Students are not passive recipients of information. They are researchers, caretakers and problem-solvers. They plant native species to restore habitats. They analyze growth data. They explore the intersection of science and sustainability.

By spanning PreK through 12th grade, the greenhouse ensures that scientific curiosity is nurtured early and developed intentionally over time. It stands as a high-tech, environmentally responsible and academically rigorous resource — one that distinguishes Notre Dame Prep’s science program within the region.

“In every season, there’s something growing here,” Elwood said. “And that includes our students.”

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.