June 11, 2026 By Hilary Jenison (photos provided by Heather Murphy, Hingham Middle School)
Hingham Middle School students are making a real impact on the local environment, one weed at a time.
Over the past two weeks, approximately 90 seventh-grade students in teacher Heather Murphy’s Great White Sharks science classes participated in a community effort to remove garlic mustard, an invasive plant species that threatens local ecosystems across Massachusetts.
Heather Murphy shared, “as part of their science unit on invasive species, students researched the environmental impact of garlic mustard and worked to raise awareness among friends, families, and neighbors. Their efforts culminated in a Garlic Mustard Collection Contest, with students gathering an impressive 1,364 pounds of the invasive weed from local areas.”
The top-performing group collected 272.7 pounds and will be recognized with Shark Bobblehead trophies.
Murphy continued, “Beyond removing the plant, students helped educate the community about why garlic mustard poses a problem. The invasive species can alter soil chemistry, making it difficult for native plants and beneficial fungi to survive. One such fungus, Beauveria bassiana, acts as a natural insecticide and helps reduce populations of black-legged deer ticks. By removing garlic mustard, students are helping create healthier habitats for native species and potentially reducing tick populations as well.”
Through hands-on environmental stewardship and community education, Murphy’s students demonstrated how young people can make a meaningful difference close to home. Their efforts have earned them the title of true eco-heroes.