Sophomore Jamie Ferkel makes some last minute adjustments to her pitcher plant on the turn in date in late January. The Botanical Garden’s Power of Plants is sponsored by local business such as Monsanto and a few local universities. Ferkel won’t know the out come of the competition until mid-April, at which point she could be awarded a $200 scholarship and a trip to an honoree banquet (photo submitted).
Pitcher plant “power” to be tested in coming weeks taylor bartram
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ophomore Jamie Ferkel and Science teacher Megan Mosher enrolled in the Power of Plants contest sponsered by Monsanto and the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Participants had to create a visual with facts and benefits of the plant they chose. Mosher found out about the contest in a newsletter from the Botanical Gardens. “The newsletter peaked my interest, and I knew immediately who would be perfect,” Mosher said. “I chose Jamie because she is known for going above and beyond.” Ferkel created a three-dimensional pitcher plant out of paper mache and chicken wire. She glued facts about the plant to the model. Her finished model exceeded the size that was stated in the rules - it could barely fit through a door. “I wanted to do something exotic, big and bold,” Ferkel said. The projects are being judged within the next few weeks by professors from Washington University, Mizzou, Monsanto and the Botanical Gardens; however, the results will not be announced until mid April. After the judging is over, Ferkel and Mosher will receive an invitation stating if the plant placed. If the plant places, Jamie will receive $200 and FHN will receive $500. Ferkel and Mosher will also be invited to a banquet where winners will be honored. “Jamie superseded everyone else in creativity and workmanship,” Mosher said. After seeing Ferkel’s submission to the contest, art teachers Zac Smithey and Mike Leistner agreed to put her design on display in
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NEWS page by paige yungermann
FERKEL’S FACTS
Ferkel studied the fanged pitcher plant. Below are some of the facts she incorporated into her model of the plant. 1. The pitcher plant is a cousin of the venus fly trap. 2. They can grow to be 10 inches tall and 6.4 inches wide. 3. It is in great danger from habitat destruction. 4. The pitcher plant has large pitcher shaped leaves that trap and digest small organisms. 5. This plant is found on the island of Borneo, on the continent of Asia. 6. The plant grows in swamps and sandy forests.
Scan Here
Scan the barcode on the left to see a site about the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Power of Plants Contest. Get the free mobile app for your phone. http://gettag.mobi No smart phone? Here’s the URL. http://bit.ly/dVc1AG
the art hallway after the results are announced. “We wanted to place the plant in the display case because it’s super awesome,” Smithey said. Whether the plant places in the competition or not, Mosher believes that Ferkel will be able to pull a lot from the experience. “I think it is a valuable experience,” Mosher said, “It showed her how you have to work on an attentive timeline, how you have to present yourself, the publicity and with experience comes comfort and confidence, and you have to be open.”