By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Managing Editor
Becky Beer Laboy called the group of 3-8 year olds in front of her wonderful scientists.
The naturalist from Wells Mills County Park told the children that good scientists always ask questions and that’s exactly what they were doing during the nature demonstration at the Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System on the afternoon of Aug. 7.
Ms. Laboy took the kids on a journey of “seed exploration,” providing them with dry and wet seeds to observe. She even had them open a lima bean seed with a toothpick to see the “baby plant” already forming inside.
Then, she asked the children whether or not they knew if seeds needed water to grow. Out of the eight kids present, one believed that a seed could grow without water.
”If we wanted to find out if seeds needed water to grow, what could we do,” she asked.
The children replied that they could perform an experiment, and that’s precisely what Ms. Laboy had in mind.
She had the children create “seed germination chambers,” one for dry seeds and one for damp seeds, using paper towels, plastic bags and staples. The children placed four seeds on top of the staples in each bag and were provided observation charts where they could log drawings and statements about the progress of their seeds daily.
”I hope they take away a sense of wonder about the natural world around them and hopefully I’ve inspired some stewardship. I want them to believe in themselves as scientists,” Ms. Laboy said. “We truly all are scientists of our natural world and sometimes it just takes an opportunity like this for children to realize that.”
Ms. Laboy is an environmental educator. She has a passion for wildlife and a commitment to connecting kids with nature. Through Wells Mills County Park, she offers free environmental programs for both children and adults at libraries, community organizations and schools around the state.
Wells Mills County Park is situated on over 1,600 acres of Pine Barrens in the eastern Pinelands in Waretown. The park has over 50 miles of nature trails, a nature center, an observation deck, picnic tables, a playground, canoe rentals and organized hikes. The park also offers environmental programs and classes as well as monthly “Full Moon Hikes” and the annual “Pine Barrens Jamboree” each October.
To connect with Ms. Laboy or for more information about Wells Mills County Park, visit www.facebook.com/WellsMillsCountyPark.

