In January, Helios Ochoa started his GT project in 2nd-grade. He planted watermelon seeds with high hopes of growing a HUGE watermelon. This particular species of watermelon grows oblong fruit that has reached over 200 lbs! We knew we would not grow a watermelon that big here on the coast, but Helios wanted to see how big one would get.

Due to a crazy year of COVID and quarantining, his GT project turned into a CLASS project. The whole class got behind his project and helped with watering, feeding, and pulling weeds until he could return to school.

We recently were able to harvest, weigh, and taste the massive watermelon! It weighed a hefty 61lbs and tasted sweet as honey! I am proud of the energy, time, and care the 2nd-graders put into this adventure. Way to go Helios, and way to go, 2nd-grade!!

-Roxanne Ochoa