We are thrilled to receive a grant from The Walmart Foundation through the Walmart and Sam’s Club Local Giving Team. The grant funding was used to purchase two Nutraponic Hydroponic Towers to help engage students in Horticulture, sustainability, and experiential learning in the classroom.

The Nutraponic Hydroponic Tower is an automated mobile vertical growing ecosystem. The modular, stackable design saves space and uses less water, all while producing more efficiently than traditional gardening. We will use the new towers in a school-wide “Grow Towers Project.” The project will provide students with an experiential learning focus designed to encompass multiple areas of science — from life science to chemistry to STEM and environmental studies.

Ms. Shah holding plant food for Grow Towers

Ms. Shah is pictured here in her classroom holding up liquid plant food that will be used for her grow tower project.

The project will begin with a lesson in STEM engineering as students build and assemble the towers. Then, students move into life science as they plant seeds for their towers and observe the lifecycle of a plant from start (seed) to finish (fresh produce) right before their eyes. They will learn to care for their plants using nutrients, water, and sunlight while maintaining their pH levels. Students will learn about hydroponics, the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. Lastly, students will explore alternative and sustainable ways of gardening, eating, and living in the future.

“We are very excited about our Grow Tower Project as it will be a full-circle learning process,” said Principal Fritzky. “Students will not only learn the steps of growing an edible garden, but they will also learn about preparing and eating healthy foods to enrich their bodies. Additionally, the vegetables grown will be used by students in our Culinary Arts class.” 

We are grateful for the generosity of The Walmart Foundation and for making this project possible. Pioneering projects like the Grow Towers not only teach our students valuable life skills but also empower them to imagine and build a better, healthier, and sustainable future for themselves and others.