Sunlight streams in as students gather to unwind and relax by building miniature terrariums with supplies given by the Latino Resource Center, located at 515 Garden Road.  

At 1 p.m. Tuesday, staff and students had the opportunity for some lighthearted DIY during the Una Casita Para Matita – Spanish for a little house for a little plant – event, a part of the LRC’s Latino Heritage Month programming.   

The materials for the event were spread across the atrium of the center, with each table holding a different item needed for the terrarium and a brief explanation of how to use it and its meaning.  

Items included sand, which represents one’s foundation, identity, lived experiences and family. The bowl (terrarium) represents home and NIU. 

For some, the event was a time to just kick back and enjoy the experience.  

“They said something about the stuff representing the things and experiences that brought you here, but honestly I just put stuff in there that looked good,” said Joaquin Villa, a junior mechanical engineering major. 

On the other tables were a variety of decorations and items to put in the terrarium. These included colorful marbles, shells, pebbles and rocks. 

Another table had paint for students to decorate their rock or terrarium with. 

The last station was the plant, which according to the program card, represents the individual. 

The plants were a variety of small air plants, unique in that they don’t need to be in soil to grow. Villa also mentioned that the low maintenance of the plant was very appealing.  

“I’ve always wanted to raise a plant. So, yeah, I was like I’m going to make a little house and put it in there,” said Villa.  

The LRC is hosting a variety of other events for Latino Heritage Month.

Upcoming events include “¡Vamos!, a Latino Heritage Month Concert” by NIU Philharmonic from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday in the Music Building and the Latino Dinner from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Patterson Hall dining complex.