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Some Brooklyn middle schoolers received a biology lesson right in their backyard, as they took in the sights and smells of a local garden in Bushwick. The City Parks Foundation's program, called "Green Girls," is a three-week summer intensive program now in its sixth year.

"Each one of these small dots is actually a small flower, and if you look behind them where some of them have fallen off, that's where you will see the seeds," said an educator as she pointed to a sunflower.

The program was created to encourage learning about math and science outside the classroom.

"It feels good because you can actually feel what it feels like, instead of [hear] them describing what it feels like or what it looks like. You can just see it right there," said student Nia McIean.

"Learning outside the classroom is kind of pretty cool because you get more information," said student Annette Preza.

During the field trip, the middle schoolers studied the ecosystem of a garden and learned about sustainability.

Alizah Henry also bit into her first fresh-picked strawberry.

"It's sweeter than when you buy it from a store. It tastes better," said Henry.

Using their tastebuds and other tools, the young women explored their environment, using science and math in unexpected ways. They even exercised their green thumbs to better understand the root of plant life.

The Green Girls initiative includes community service, and the students gave back through projects like planting a tree in a neighborhood or organizing a local recycling program.

"It teaches them responsibility, I think it gives them awareness about what's going on," said educator Sharene Vaughn.

The program was all part of the process to help students blossom into leaders of tomorrow.

For more information about Connect A Million Minds, visit www.connectamillionminds.com.