National Farm to School Network, the Scotts-Miracle Gro Foundation, and Hawthorne Gardening Company are excited to launch the second iteration of the Gro More Good Hydroponic Garden Project! Discovering Through Hydroponics brings together kindergarten through second grade educators in 25 schools and organizations across Arizona, California, Florida, Oregon, and Washington to integrate hydroponics gardening into their classrooms and other educational settings. The project aims to spark a passion for gardening and increase hands-on science experiences for students who otherwise might not have had the opportunity.
Each participating school and organization will receive an AeroGarden hydroponic kit and supplies to grow fresh vegetables in educational settings, the STEM-aligned Discovering Through Hydroponics: K-2 Classroom Guide, networking and peer learning opportunities with other participating schools and organizations, and programmatic support from the National Farm to School Network and Gro More Good team.
This project builds on the success of the first iteration of the Gro More Good Hydroponic Garden Project, which was launched in the Fall of 2019, and piloted the Exploring Hydroponics: A Classroom Lesson Guide in 15 schools in California, New York and Washington D.C. While the previous project focused primarily on third through fifth grade, this year’s activities will focus on classrooms serving kindergarten through second grade students, using the new Discovering Through Hydroponics: K-2 Classroom Guide as a roadmap and resource for engaging young students in exploring plants and STEM-aligned concepts.
Participating schools include:
- Osborn School District, Phoenix, AZ
- Manuel "Lito" Pena Jr. School, Phoenix, AZ
- Bret R. Tarver School, Phoenix, AZ
- Peridot - Our Savior's Lutheran School, Peridot, AZ
- Catalina Ventura School, Phoenix, AZ
- Frank Borman School, Phoenix, AZ
- Yavapai Accommodation School, Prescott, AZ
- St. David Unified School District, Saint David, AZ
- Joseph Zito Elementary, Phoenix, AZ
- Bancroft Elementary School, Pleasant Hill, CA
- Poinciana Elementary School, Naples, FL
- Wimauma Community Academy, Wimauma, FL
- Thunderbolt Elementary School, Fleming Island, FL
- James Stephens International Academy, Fort Myers, FL
- North Andrews Gardens Elementary, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Immokalee Community School, Immokalee, FL
- Fairfield Elementary School, Eugene, OR
- Melrose Elementary School, Roseburg, OR
- Pendleton Early Learning Center, Pendleton, OR
- Prairie City School, Prairie City, OR
- Dilley Elementary School, Forest Grove, OR
- Westside Village Magnet School, Bend, OR
- Klamath County School District Talented and Gifted Program, Klamath Falls, OR
- Nestucca Valley Elementary School, Neskowin, OR
- Modest Family Solutions - Ummah Sustained, Everett, WA
This project is part of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s larger Gro More Good initiative, which aims to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens and greenspaces to 10 million children by 2023. As part of Gro More Good, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is partnering with leading not-for-profit organizations, such as National Farm to School Network, to help overcome some of the pressing challenges facing today’s youth––including childhood obesity, poor nutrition and nature deficit––by improving children’s access to fresh food and increasing their time spent connected to nature.