Mini-Grant Application for School Year 2016-17

Submitted by: Ashley Scott Email: Scotta3@leonschools.net Grade Level: K-5 Subject: Reading, Math, Science
Co-Applicant: Email: Grade level: Subject:

School: Bond Elementary School Type: Public Grade Levels:Pre-K-5 County:Leon

Approx. Enrollment: 600 Number of teachers:655 % of Free and Reduced Lunch:100%

School Address:

2204 Saxon St, Tallahassee, FL 32310

Phone: 8504887676 Principal:Brandy Tyler-McIntosh Email: Tylerb@leonschools.net

Project Title: The Greenhouse Effect!
Project Dates: 1/1/2016-8/30/17 Grade Levels:

Focus Area(s) :Technology- Science- Environmental Sustainability - Health and Nutrition

Abstract:
The GreenHouse Effect! Will provide students at Bond Elementary with the opportunity to expand and enhance their current garden systems. The technology such as Hydroponic systems will be utilized by over 130 students within the 21st Century Community Learning Center Afterschool program. Students will also have the opportunity to build a school GreenHouse which will be named the TERRA Greenhouse. Garden probes and weather sensors purchased last year will be programed by students and data will compliment garden education program. It is though these three initiatives that students at Bond can gain a diverse perspective on the 21st Century gardens, health and nutriton, technology and science. Soil composition, moisture readings, solar exposure and other data will be used, tracked and compared with plant growth. Students will have the opportunity to learn about different plant species and to conduct experiments by cloning new plants. As the garden is robust and utilized in every grade at Bond Elementary, there is potential to impact every student Pre-K through 5th grade students. As always District science developers will work with teachers throughout the year to align data obtained from WeatherSTEM, the TERRA Green House, and Hydroponics systems into their current curriculum, classroom and afterschool activities.

Proposal:
Students will participate in experiments that will allow them to grow vegetables and plant species through the Hydroponics System. With hydroponics the plants are grown in an inert growing medium and perfectly balanced. Students will be able to utilize critical thinking and problem solving using real world system with live plants. It is through the use of the hydroponics system that students will foster collaboration, communication and team work skills. Hydroponics systems allow for students to conduct science experiments and engage students in an entrepreneurship framework. The TERRAGreenhouse will allow students to understand the concepts that makes it possible to grow certain types of crops year round, and fruits, plants, vegetables, and flowers. Through the use of the TERRA Greenhouse students will be able to also learn about different cultures and the historical framework in which greenhouses were first made. The current grant will also sustain the Edyn sensors which were purchased last year. The Edyn sensor is a smart garden system that monitors environmental conditions helping plants thrive. Edyn keeps students connected to the garden through continuous monitoring of light, humidity, temperature, soil moisture and soil nutrition. Real-time guidance provides tailored tips and notifications based on the specific conditions and the weather forecast. Edyn analyzes each garden to discover which plants best match its conditions and climate through its database of over 5,000 varieties. Edyn is solar powered and Wi-Fi connected so students can monitor the garden from anywhere. Online lessons developed by curriculum specialists and meteorologists are available to highlight the multiples sensors and tailored to deliver high engagement and interaction. The technology will be utilized at Bond Elementary School, initially within the 21st Century Community Learning Center Afterschool Program, aligning their garden education with additional data. Soil composition, moisture readings, solar exposure and other data will be used, tracked and compared with plant growth. Students will learn to program the agriculture sensors and weather station sensors to provide immediate real-time alerts through phone and email. This information will be used to increase the production capacity of the garden through improved plant cultivar selection in an effort to provide students with nutritional organic produce to take home on the weekend or to provide their classrooms with healthy snacks. This program will impart invaluable experience for students to learn self-sufficiency within their community using scientific data as their guide. The garden is utilized in every grade at Bond Elementary and the program will be expanded to include all grade level classes in support of literacy, math and science principles. Student media production will also use the weather station data to develop a daily weather report and activity advisory through the school’s broadcasting network, providing students with STEM career exposure and experience. Community partnerships will be pursued with the local 4-H IFAS Extension Office, IGrow, Florida State University, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University as well as the county agriculture extension office to provide leadership and management guidance for students as well as exposure to additional academic and career possibilities. The district science developers will work with teachers throughout the year to align data obtained from WeatherSTEM into their current curriculum and classroom activities. Using the weather station data students will have current, real-time information to apply to content instruction in weather, climate, geography, solar systems, ecology and biology. Principles of chemistry, physics, biology and astronomy are demonstrated through engaging technology resources from the WeatherSTEM program. Critical STEM skills including data mining, data analysis, research application and experimentation is made accessible to all levels of learners using modern technology instruments and applications delivered through highly engaging media. In Florida, fifth grade is the initial state assessment in science. Prior year performance data is pending from the state. Student gain will be assessed through improved classroom grades, surveys through the 21st CCLC program to parents, students and teachers, and the percentage passing rate for Bond Elementary on the state science assessment when the scores are provided. Bond Elementary will share the results through their WeatherSTEM facebook page, website, parent newsletters, 21st Century evaluations and family invovlement activites, information will be provided to partners, and other methods as requested. Parents will also have the opportunity to particiapte in the development and implementation of this project.

Budget:

I, Ashley Scott, certify that the application is complete and final, AND I verify that I have received permission to apply for these funds from Brandy Tyler-McIntosh ,the Principal of Bond Elementary School and any other individuals required by my school district.