Crain's Creek Middle School's very own CTE teacher, Skyla Stuckey, was awarded a grant from North Carolina Native Plant Society’s B. W. Wells Stewardship Fund to assist with the establishment of a native plant garden on the school campus. Through the generous donations of this foundation, the school is able to create a small wildlife biome.

This grant will expand upon the existing produce garden and provide more extensive outdoor learning opportunities. Currently, produce is being organically grown and donated to neighboring food banks and given to families in need. The expansion of the school gardens with native pollinators will not only increase the yield of garden produce but also create a local wildlife habitat for student observation and education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

The students will be able to observe, interact, and gain unique educational experiences in an organic and sustainably managed garden. Through the S.T.E.A.M. Learning Garden program, students engage in cross-curricular lessons, are exposed to various career pathways, develop and apply employable skill sets, learn about environmentally responsible horticulture, and gain exposure to healthy nutritional practices.