Nestled within the vibrant greenery of The Maryland School for the Blind, the Little Muddy Fingers Garden Club is flourishing, sowing seeds of growth, learning, and environmental awareness among its students. Founded just three years ago, this innovative club has already taken deep root, sprouting into a vital part of the school’s STEAM curriculum and a beacon of inclusion.
The club began as a simple idea to make the school’s annual See Beyond Festival more interactive for students. It has since grown into a multi-faceted program that incorporates gardening, natural science, and now, with the Little Muddy Fingers Bird Club, ornithology. Jennifer (Jenn) Keenan, the club’s founder and a dedicated educator with a background as a master naturalist and gardener, envisioned a program where students who are blind or have low vision could engage hands-on with nature. “We started with basic planting and experimented with natural dyes from avocado pits,” Jenn explains. “It was about making science accessible and fun.”
The club leverages adaptive technologies to ensure every student can participate fully. QR codes link to educational content that students can access through devices tailored for visual impairment. Tools like switch-accessible joy players and feeding systems for the school’s aquarium allow students to interact physically and responsibly with their environment.
Join Us at the See Beyond Festival 2024
Mark your calendars for the See Beyond Festival, happening on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 11 AM to 3 PM at The Maryland School for the Blind, located at 3501 Taylor Ave, Baltimore, MD 21236. This year, the Little Muddy Fingers Garden Club will feature prominently, hosting a booth where plants nurtured by students will be available for purchase. The festival promises an array of activities designed to engage and inspire attendees of all ages.
Preregister Now!
Don’t miss out on this wonderful day of learning and fun! Preregister today at www.seebeyondfestival.org to ensure your spot at the festival. Preregistration helps us plan for a better event and ensures you receive updates and information about festival activities directly to your inbox.
Each year, the See Beyond Festival showcases the club’s efforts, and this year will be no exception. “This isn’t just about gardening. It’s about giving our students the tools to be successful and confident in their abilities,” says Jenn. The proceeds from these sales help fund further environmental and STEAM projects, reinforcing a cycle of learning and growth.
The impact on students is noticeable. Engaging with the club’s activities has fostered a sense of responsibility, teamwork, and a profound connection with the natural world. Students take pride in their work, whether caring for plants, identifying birds, or simply enjoying the sensory pleasures of the garden.
Looking to the future, Jenn is optimistic. She hopes to expand the club’s activities and delve deeper into conservation efforts, potentially increasing native wildlife habitats around the school. “I want our students to not only learn about the environment but to lead in its preservation,” she reflects.
The Little Muddy Fingers Garden Club at The Maryland School for the Blind is more than just an educational program—it’s a place where barriers are broken down, and students learn to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be. As this club continues to grow, it promises to cultivate not only plants but young minds eager to explore and care for the world around them.
For more inspiring stories from our community and the latest updates from The Maryland School for the Blind, visit marylandschoolfortheblind.org/welcome/our-stories/.
