Solid curriculum. Passionate teachers. A group of students interested in horticulture. It seems like your STEM program couldn’t be going any better. Until you discover there’s a nice bit of land on campus that would be ideal for a school greenhouse.

Now you just have to sell the idea. Here is a list of considerations to include in your proposal for a school greenhouse and how it will benefit your STEM education program:

Make the Theoretical Come to Life. Reading about plant biology, ecosystems and propagation is beneficial to students, but hands-on learning will provide more practical skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking opportunities for your students. Watching students plant and maintain crop health, testing the effects of different fertilizers on seedlings, or modify temperatures using controllers: it’s all a fantastic way to promote learning.

Take a Casual Interest and Turn it Into a Career. STEM courses are part of the core curriculum, but it could be the class that inspires new passion for students. They may discover their love for horticulture, agricultural engineering, food science, or environmental science. With your support, a school greenhouse, and a developed FFA or 4-H program, your students have the potential to gain access to higher education through internships and scholarships.

Experience the Full Growth Cycle. While you can sprout a few seeds in a paper towel or care for indoor houseplants in a classroom, a school greenhouse provides the immersive, full-cycle experience of STEM education. Students will gain a deeper sense of responsibility through analyzing plant growth and diagnosing any issues that may arise through a full growth cycle.

Promotes Interdisciplinary Projects, Too. There’s more to Ag education than just growing plants. With an annual spring sale, your students can take their Ag education and economics classes and learn how to run a small business. A school greenhouse promotes a wide range of subjects for all students to enjoy. It connects STEM courses to business, art, or health courses, too.

Encourages a Connection to the Community. A school greenhouse allows students to grow plants to be used for local fundraising events to help fund any greenhouse operations. Parents and community members could enjoy an open house event for students to showcase their growth. Or the students may utilize the greenhouse for 4-H or FFA projects that may require community assistance.

A school greenhouse offers amazing expansion to the lessons in your STEM program, but the entire school enjoys the benefits, too. To learn more about how easy it is to plan for your new, improved STEM classes, connect with your local Regional Sales Manager at Stuppy Greenhouse.