A local Broward County School has grown their own school garden and utilized the sunflower seeds to make a wholesome, green snack!

Lauderdale Lakes Middle School's prinipal is James F Griffin, State of Florida's Principal of the year, and this Science Dept project is one of many Global Iniatives at the school.

Story and Recipie below:

Through a Global Go Green initiative at a Broward County Public School, students have been able to see the fruits of their labor in growing their own sunflower seeds, a favorite campus snack. A school garden was created by the students including sunflowers. After maturity, the sunflowers were harvested and the children saw how sunflower seeds are grown, cooked, and how quickly they can be eaten!

The project was done at Lauderdale Lakes Middle school by Ms. Stith Gardner, Science teacher and Recycle Club Organizer, and completed this month(May 2011). LLMS is an International Baccalaureate School and is also the school where the 2010 State of Florida Principal of the Year , Mr. James F. Griffin currently works.

Below is how you can adopt a similar project for middle years children:

Start with naturally grown sunflowers

Once the sunflower petals have fallen off, and the seeds look like they are going to pop out, they are ready for snack making fun!

Remove all the seeds into a shallow tray.

Rinse seeds and submerge seeds with fresh, clean water.

Add salt or whatever seasoning you would like. Have fun. The seasoning you choose can change the seeds from sweet to spicy.

Leave submerged, seasoned seeds overnight, covered.

The next day, empty the tray,dry seeds and transfer onto a dry cookie sheet.

Bake for about 15 minutes at about 400 degrees.

Monitor them closely! They can burn quick!

When seeds are roasted, transfer from cookie sheet. Be careful, they will be hot!

Once cool, kids will love to eat their hard work and earn an A!