Families, students, teachers and the community came together at the Vista del Sol Environmental Science Academy’s Farmers Market on May 16 for a day filled with games, student-made products, vendor crafts and environmental education.

For Nicole Gabriel, whose children attended pre-K3, kindergarten and second grade at the school, the Farmers Market was an opportunity to spend time with family.

They enjoyed playing Fish Pong, Tic-Tac-Toe and the bean bag toss. More importantly, as a military family, Gabriel appreciated the opportunity to connect with the community.

“I think it was a really great turnout for the kids and the family to have fun together and just experience different things, and it's nice to see the principal and the vice principal and other parents. It’s also a great way to meet other vendors who are here and see what other things are available in the community,” Gabriel said.

The campus-wide event featured games, food, performances and served as a platform to promote the academy's environmental focus.

Principal Jennifer Martinez said the event had grown significantly since it began three years ago.

"Ever since we've become an environmental science academy, this started with the chickens that we have and the gardens in the back," Jennifer Martinez said. "It's growing and growing every year."

The academy combines core elementary instruction with hands-on environmental learning through programs that include campus gardens, a chicken coop, sustainability projects and after-school enrichment clubs.

Students also used the Farmers Market to practice entrepreneurial skills.

Ella Martinez, a fourth-grader, ran a booth where she sold the crochet items she made.

"It's fun to come, buy stuff, be with family, play games," Ella Martinez said.

Fifth-grader Zoe Cuanda enjoyed the ring toss, face painting and spending time with her friends at the event.

“The cool thing about Farmer's Market is that we get to buy stuff and play games,” Cuanda said.

She is a member of Duds to Dazzle, an after-school club that transforms recycled materials into crafts and decorative items. She’s used recycled materials to make bracelets and picture frames. She said that recycling not only benefits the environment but also provides a creative outlet for her.

“It's just fun, and also we get to show how we could be creative too,” Cuanda said.

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Vista del Sol Environmental Science Academy’s Farmers Market event photos