Clyde River (Feb 17/03) - Cutting the lawn with a pair of scissors at a golf course down South would be a pretty tedious task, but for the kids at Quluaq school it's a great way to spend an afternoon.

Of course, their lawn is only the size of a shoe box and it grows in their classroom.

"I found a big bag of lawn seed and we decided to plant it. We call it our lawn," said science teacher David Benton.

Along with a lawn, students are growing radishes, beans and they're trying to grow corn. Benton says he feels it's important for students to understand where the food they buy in the grocery store comes from. He said it's not unusual for some of his students to have gone their entire lives without ever seeing grass or other plants.

Nubviya Palluq, 14, is one of these people. She is in grade nine and said the last time she was down South she was just three-and-a-half months old. Palluq waters and fertilizes the plants almost every day.

"It was my first time seeing the beans, radishes and corn grow. And the green grass. I don't remember seeing grass ever. I thought the grass was going to grow right through the roof," she said.

The program has been quite a success with the students and it's inspiring many to start growing their own indoor gardens whether it be regular house plants or vegetables.

"There's been women from the community coming in a saying 'Wow, look at all those plants.' Some of them have even given us clippings from plants they have at home," explained Benton.

He said in order for the plants to make it through the winter, they need some extra attention. The plants in his classroom are kept alive and vibrant with full-spectrum lighting. Benton said the lights give off energy which replace the energy given off by the sun.

"When the spring comes back, we'll move them back to the window," said Benton.

As for Palluq, she said when she finds some seeds she'll try growing some of her own plants. She said growing fruits and vegetables are her favourite. If she had the choice, the first thing she would grow is a little strawberry plant.