What started as a butterfly garden concept at Carpenter Elementary in Cary has grown into plans for a fullfledged outdoor science and environmental education center. Just like the tiny larvae that eventually turn into beautiful butterflies, the center’s colorful sketch, recently approved by the school system, is more complex and multifaceted than most parents, teachers or students could have imagined.

One year ago, when the PTA floated the idea for a butterfly garden on unused space at the school’s site, a facilities planner at Wake County public schools suggested that Carpenter’s grounds would allow for a larger, more involved endeavor.

Parent Yvonne Maher was excited. Maher has two daughters at Carpenter, Fallon, 8, and Kelyn, 5, and is a licensed landscape architect. She couldn’t wait to get her hands and mind on the plans.

Maher has always hoped to share her love of gardening and wildlife with her daughters. But now her passion will extend to all of the students at Carpenter, too. “When my kids’ friends come over to our house, they want to know about the frogs and butterflies,” Maher said.

Maher committed to the initial butterfly garden concept early on. But when she took a new job with McNeely Associates in Raleigh last April, her employer shared her enthusiasm. Her firm’s design services will be provided pro bono.

Maher has already completed a conceptual plan, which includes an 18-by-20-foot outdoor classroom with a pitched roof that will collect rain water in water barrels for garden irrigation. On the northwest side of the center, students will get their hands dirty at the “Make a Mess” circular plaza. They can learn about direction, sun and shadow lengths at the sundial and compass plaza, located closest to the school building. And weather vanes, barometers and whirligigs in the centralized weather center will help them become more aware of the environment.

Across the existing asphalt path, the butterfly garden that sparked the whole project will be planted. Around the outside of the “Make a Mess” plaza, there will even be room for a “meadow walk” where students can enjoy the wildflowers they will plant.

Maher said the center encourages sustainability and will be handicapped accessible.

Before the center has even broken ground, Carpenter’s teachers are already discussing how outside learning can enhance the curriculum.

“Alka Seltzer rockets and homemade ice cream, ‘gak,’” said second-grade teacher Jessica Anderson when asked what they’ll make in the “Make a Mess” plaza.

“Getting hands-on with real rocks, watching the seeds of wildflowers grow,” said fourth-grade teacher Katie Sanvi.

“Making compost where the red worms stay outside,” said third-grade teacher ShaRonda Smith.

She said the worms tend to migrate to the control compost, which shouldn’t have any. And gnats, practically unnoticeable outside, are a problem in the classroom.

“There is something that ties to the curriculum for all grade levels,” Smith said.

The main issue may be the heavy scheduling the center will receive after it opens. “The students are going to beg to come out here,” Sanvi said. Principal Vickie Brown can’t wait for students to start using the space.

“We’re trying to educate 21st-century children,” she said. “Instead of passive learning, this way of teaching science engages kids in wonder.”

She is especially impressed with the innovative collaboration of the school system, parents, teachers and the community.

And she has reason to be excited about the community’s participation. As of Friday, the PTA had raised nearly $8,000. McNeely Associates is working to get a local architectural firm to donate its design services for the covered classroom.

Money contributed to the center through Friday was to be matched up to $10,000 by an anonymous private donor. The PTA will be taking donations until the project is paid for.

So far, there is no date scheduled to break ground.

For information or to donate to Carpenter Elementary School’s Outdoor Science and Environmental Education Center, visit carpenteres. wcpss.net or contact PTA president Nicole Rahm at nrahm@nc.rr.com.