Ms. Hardman's group of special education students were supposed to be "difficult." But their engagement in a novel interdisciplinary project had a transformative effect -- on them, on their teachers, and even on individuals far beyond their school. This article describes children and their experiences in a special education class and how they learned empathy through 'The Pumpkin Project.' In this interdisciplinary exercise, they planted, raised, and sold pumpkins then used their profits to make gift baskets to bring cheer to hospitalized youngsters.