Growing Curiosity: Botanic Garden at GSU hosts migrant students

July 5, 2026 - 05:31

The Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University became a hub of discovery this June, hosting a summer enrichment program for children of migrant workers. The initiative gave these students a rare chance to stay academically engaged while their families followed seasonal farm work. Instead of losing ground over the summer months, the children spent their days learning, creating, and exploring in a hands-on outdoor classroom.

Education Manager Morgan Scalici Dunn led the activities, guiding students through lessons that mixed science with creativity. The program focused on keeping young minds active during a time when learning often fades. For many of these children, the garden offered something more than just education. It provided a stable, welcoming space where they could connect with nature and each other.

The Botanic Garden's effort highlights a broader need for accessible summer programs, especially for families who move frequently. By opening its gates to these students, the garden turned a simple field trip into a meaningful bridge between school years. The children left with more than just memories of plants and bugs. They carried a sense of curiosity that might last long after the summer heat fades.