Nestled within Grand Forks, Sertoma Park stands as more than just a picturesque landscape—it’s an outdoor classroom where curiosity blossoms, and STEAM principles take root. Guided by the Grand Forks Park District’s Tom Twedell, an environmental activist and dedicated teacher, this green oasis invites our community to explore, discover, question, and connect with nature. Tom has generously worked in conjunction with Dean Opp, one of the dedicated visionaries of the Grand Forks Children’s Museum to create ‘The Learning Garden Tour.’
Tom’s vision transformed part of Sertoma Park into a native prairie—a haven for wildlife and education. His mission? To enlighten our community’s children about the vital role that prairies and gardens play in our ecosystem. Through outdoor tours, young minds can venture into hidden nooks, discovering native grasses, wildflowers, and unique plant species. They can ask questions about plant growth, observe insect behavior, and witness the impact of changing seasons. Gardens and prairies become outdoor classrooms, nurturing wonder, curiosity, and inquiry.
Dean Opp is well known in the Grand Forks Community as a visionary, teacher, leader and co-founder of the summer program of the arts (SPA). As a Grand Forks Children’s Museum board member, Dean is also the creative genius behind many of the exhibits at the museum’s Full STEAM Ahead events. Dean stated, “It is a pleasure to collaborate with Tom and the Park District. This collaboration shows the importance of community partnerships -- the rich knowledge level that lives within our community. The Learning Garden Tour is just one example of how the Grand Forks Children’s Museum can serve as a catalyst to bring our community experts together.”
“I’ve been at the Park District for about five years working in both forestry and horticulture. I’ve also been an educator for the same amount of time and am currently a science teacher at Schroeder Middle School,” Tom states. He continues, “My plan is to get kids interested in the outdoors and native landscapes and to help change perceptions of native plants. We will focus on plant identification, acknowledge what a weed is and is not, establish the benefits of native plants and identify the importance of specific species as it relates to the region. We will also have a session that talks about the services the prairie area provides for birds, animals, insects and humans. This will include a little bird watching/count, insect investigations and answering any questions that might come up.”
Armed with his extensive knowledge, Tom and Dean led a group that included my children through the Sertoma Park’s gardens and prairie lands with the goal to help connect with nature, understand the prairie’s importance and to relate nature with STEAM disciplines. The children explored hidden nooks and discovered ladybugs, tadpoles, and secret hideaways. They asked questions about plant growth, insect behavior, and the impact of changing seasons. The participants on the Learning Garden Tour admired unique plant species, identified wildlife that thrive on prairie plants, and they learned from one another.
Prairies and gardens serve as living laboratories where STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) principles thrive:
Science: Students study adaptations, observe wildlife, and explore soil types. Prairies and gardens become open-air laboratories.
Technology: Data analysis, mapping, and tracking—students engage with technology while monitoring prairie health.
Engineering: Ecological principles come alive. Sustainable land management and restoration become tangible lessons.
Arts: The gardens and prairies’ intrinsic beauty inspires creativity. Artists capture native grasses, wildflowers, and wildlife through plein air painting and photography.
Mathematics: By measuring growth rates and calculating seed densities—prairie studies provide real-world math applications.
By appreciating and understanding gardens and prairies, our community embraces
environmental stewardship. The Learning Garden Tour emphasizes native plants, sustainable practices, and wildlife habitats. Prairies and gardens are not just landscape spaces—they’re vibrant classrooms where roots meet curiosity, and where STEAM education blossoms.
As we nurture curiosity, environmental awareness, and empathy, the Grand Forks Children’s Museum supports prairie conservation and education. In collaboration with the Park District, the Grand Forks Children’s Museum plans to develop a garden and prairie ecosystem—an extension of Sertoma Park’s legacy. Together, as we build the museum, we will cultivate a place outside our walls where roots intertwine, and STEAM education blossoms.
My children had a great time, and they learned a lot about the plants, animals, the environment and how these prairies are an important part of our community. Engaging minds through play – that’s the Grand Forks Children’s Museum mission.
Both Dean Opp and Tom Twedell are wonderful educational resources in the Grand Forks community. Their vision, teaching and commitment to the community goes well beyond the classroom. Thank you, Tom and Dean! We are grateful and honored by your leadership, insights, knowledge and community spirit.
Good news: Dean is collaborating with Tom to create an exhibit at the upcoming Full STEAM Ahead! I can hardly wait…
By Sally Miskavige, Grand Forks Children's Museum Board Vice President
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