Staff recently introduced a new hands-on project in our farm class at Shrub Oak International School: making our own natural, child- and animal-safe bug spray. As part of Shrub Oak’s commitment to holistic education, environmental responsibility, and animal care, this project offered students the opportunity to engage in a fun, sensory-friendly, and purposeful activity that benefits the animals they help care for on our farm. Rather than using store-bought products with harsh additives or chemicals, we opted for a safe, simple, pleasantly fragrant DIY recipe using essential oils—each selected for their insect-repellent properties and suitability for use around both children and animals.
Our recipe combined 1 ounce of alcohol-free witch hazel, 1 ounce of water, 2 drops each of lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint essential oils, and 4 drops of citronella essential oil. Once mixed in a spray bottle and shaken well, the blend was ready to use. Students followed clear step-by-step directions to measure and mix each ingredient, reinforcing skills in sequencing, attention to detail, and following multi-step instructions. Each bottle was labeled by the students, adding a creative element to the science-based lesson. We emphasized the importance of shaking the bottle before each use to ensure the oils remained evenly distributed—another small but meaningful step that helped students understand how emulsification works when combining water-based and oil-based ingredients.
This activity not only supported our students’ learning in science and environmental stewardship, but also encouraged independence, responsibility, and connection to the animals we raise on our campus. After the sprays were made, our students assisted in applying the bug spray to our farm animals—including our goats, mini donkey, mini horse, pigs, and chickens—helping to keep them comfortable and pest-free during the warmer summer months. As always, our staff carefully supervised to ensure that the spray was applied correctly and that all students and animals remained calm and safe throughout the process.
Projects like these reflect the spirit of our transdisciplinary approach at Shrub Oak International School, where academic content, functional life skills, and therapeutic engagement come together in meaningful, real-world applications. Our farm provides an ideal environment for experiential learning, and the bug spray activity is just one example of how we foster collaboration, curiosity, and care in everything we do. For our students, making and using the bug spray was more than just a science lesson—it was a way to make a positive contribution, connect with animals, and build confidence in their own abilities. We are proud of their work, and we look forward to continuing to explore more natural, safe, and student-led solutions in the weeks ahead.
