In a year of change, Mary Crane embraced new opportunities, including an exciting partnership with Bethel New Life (the organizations campus where Molade Center is located) and a project Bethel initiated with the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Mary Barron, Director of Molade Center (Austin) was instrumental in establishing this relationship. Along with Ms. Barron, Derbert Plaza, Director of Education 0-5, has ensured support for these weekly garden educator visits and classroom activities. The curriculum at Mary Crane embraces opportunities for children to learn in and with nature, an environment in which we know children flourish.

From April to October, educators from the Chicago Botanic Garden visited Molade (Austin) once a week and facilitated garden activities with teachers, children, and the senior residents of Bethel New Life. Each visit had a theme that allowed children to learn about the life cycle of a plant, starting from a seed. These hands-on activities taught children how plants benefit insects and other animals, allowed them to grow their own food which they then got to eat, and gave them the experience of "putting gardens to bed" for the winter. The proximity of the garden beds to their outdoor play space provided opportunities for the children to water and care for the gardens throughout the growing season, which they enjoyed. Both children and their teachers acquired new skills, deepened their knowledge, and developed new relationships through this partnership.

While looking back, Molade teacher Paige Santa Maria said: