The Problem
We are a special program at our urban, Title 1, Tier 3 school that wishes to bring an environmental focus to the forefront of our students\' lives. In this urban setting, most of our students live in apartments and, otherwise, do not have the ability to engage in hands-on learning about our Earth. So far, we have multiple raised garden beds, tools, and plants that are already thriving. However, this gardening project takes consistent funding, which our school does not provide. In order to keep our garden functioning, and available to all students, we need extra support and funding. In our special program, called the Valley Environmental Academy (VEA), students are able to engage in hands-on learning on how to care for plants, and the role that we all play in our environment. We also have a recycling program which has been very successful on campus, and students are able to see how every little thing they do can help out and keep our planet healthy. Without this program and our garden, students may not have this interest in environmentalism sparked, and we need to find ways to get more students interested in our environment and careers that can directly aid in the health of our communities and our planet. Through the R&S project grant, we will replenish plants (edible and non-edible) as well as soil, and other tools/supplies that are necessary for a functional, student-led garden. All aspects of our garden are student-led and teacher-faciliated. On any given day, students are watering the garden, pruning or planting, and making decisions on what will be planted next--this is where life-long passion for our planet starts.
