A version of the following story was originally published in the September 2012 issue of Research Tracks, a publication of Baylor University’s Office of the Vice Provost for Research.

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Students at a Waco ISD middle school recently spent some of their free time getting their hands dirty to support the fight against cancer.

Participants in the Tennyson Middle School Garden Club grow vegetables and other produce in a garden on the school’s campus, then sell the produce at a local farmer’s market. Proceeds from the sale of the fruits and vegetables are donated to a charitable organization of the students’ choice.

Jonathan Bruce, garden coordinator for the Baylor Community Garden, said students in the program learn about entrepreneurship, philanthropy and the science behind growing food.

“The students deliberated among themselves and decided to donate funds to cancer research,” Bruce said. “After researching national and local cancer groups, they voted to use the money to help Dr. Mary Lynn Trawick’s lab.”

Trawick, an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Baylor, used the funds to purchase a needed piece of equipment for her lab.

“It was inspiring for me and the other members of my lab to receive this gift,” said Trawick. “The funds helped us to purchase an important piece of equipment. We are very appreciative of the Tennyson students and their generosity.”