Vision

Our climate action project was centered around increasing self-sustainability within our school and setting up a system that can grow exponentially over time. The reason we chose to focus our project on a hydroponics garden was because it takes up less space than a traditional garden and is more accessible in terms of skill level and knowledge surrounding gardening. It is our hope that by introducing an easy, user friendly system, we can see it implemented into the curriculum and cafeteria for years to come. In order to secure our garden and grow a successful project, there were a number of steps we had to take prior to getting started.

Action

The first thing we did was bring our idea to the school’s administration, who saw potential for it to be integrated into the curriculum and to become a larger part of our school community as the years pass. After receiving approval, we reached out to a local company, Sucseed, who were more than happy to provide us with the kit. The hydroponics kit included all the basics we needed to get our garden started which was exceptionally helpful as we were working with a set amount of funding. We then set out to find somewhere to put our garden where club members would be able to access it, but also somewhere that other people could be a part of the growth. After communicating with teachers and establishing some general guidelines, we decided to put it in the challenging needs room. They had a kitchenette (perfect for refilling the bucket) and extra room for supplies that made it the optimal location. Not only this, but it allowed the students in the challenging needs unit a new learning opportunity and the opportunity to take ownership of something. As for the students within our Environmental Club, they set up the kit and took turns checking on it biweekly, in order to ensure both groups were working together. The students in the challenging needs unit played a large role in the success of the project, which only increases its value to our community as it is an inclusive project as well as a climate project. These students were even able to use the lettuce grown in the garden to make salads for their lunch one day. It just goes to show that there is room for an in-school garden to supply students with a healthy alternative to fast food lunches.

Reflection & Celebration

We were inspired to take on a garden project because, as previously mentioned, it was one of the more accessible projects that we could run in a school, but it also has room to grow. It’s important for us as a club that we leave a blueprint for the students who come after us, in order to ensure we help build the most sustainable school possible. While a small garden might not seem to be the most creative climate related project, we know that small steps make the largest difference when it comes to slowing the crisis we are facing. If we are setting up a low maintenance, long term project, it is even better. All in all, we are extremely pleased with the results of our project, thankful for the funding to be able to get it started, and we hope that it establishes a system that can grow in the years to come.