Darcy Rund, Doug Brinker, April Manning and Sandy Nichols

The team’s innovative teaching idea, “Tower Garden, Let’s Grow!,” focuses on giving students the opportunity to plant, grow, harvest, taste, and share produce, while learning to take responsibility for their own health. The Tower Garden uses a highly efficient and eco-friendly aeroponic growing system, which is considered the next generation of urban farming. In addition to gardening, students will study the immune and cellular system of the body, learn why plant-based whole foods are essential for growth while being engaged in a fun learning environment that promotes healthy choices. Through the use of the Tower Garden, Rund and her team believe students will grow into responsible, eco-savvy, earth-friendly, technology-wise, health-conscience citizens who care about their community.