"Having a hydroponic system in the classroom is helping students understand how to embrace new technology and solve problems with big ideas in a local space without the green space outside our school building. Students have been learning how to harvest and grow leafy greens right in the classroom. We were able to donate bags of fresh leafy greens to a local shelter in our school community," writes Mrs. Elles, Teacher of 6th to 8th-grade students at the Bancroft Elementary Middle School in Wilmington, DE.
Now, Elles is looking to expand her hydroponic education by adding Flex Farm Hydroponic Systems to her classroom to elaborate on her teaching even more. However, she cannot pay it all by herself. Her aim is to raise a total of $12,022 in funding. The project will reach about 500 students.
Education
Over the last two years, Elles has been able to bring the in-classroom garden experience to her Bancroft students showing students how to grow and harvest food, including fresh leafy greens, in an exciting and sustainable way. "More than three‑quarters of students come from low‑income households."
"It is with extreme appreciation that I share my gratitude to the 'I Could Do Great Things' Foundation for their generous grant and their commitment to providing opportunities to our youth in the City of Wilmington."
First project
With their generous support, Elles was able to bring many hands-on materials to my classroom over the last two years, including their very own Classroom Hydroponics System from Fork Farms. The first year of the grant, she worked with 4th graders at the Bancroft School, and students brought their first-ever harvest of fresh leafy greens, including lettuce and Bok Choy, to life.
"With the second year of the grant, more materials were delivered to our school, and we now have, in addition to our Fork Farms Classroom Hydroponic System we have two vegetable towers. This past year, I moved to our middle school program, and my 6th graders in my science classroom teamed up with our 1st-grade buddy classroom, and together they grew fresh greens for the community."
Click here to support Mrs. Elles.