Melissa Cosgrove, Shelly Connell, Kathy Byrne, Michelle Marzocca, Kurtis Start and Sharli Schultz

Cosgrove and her colleagues’ innovative teaching idea, “The Tower Garden,” is designed to incorporate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) concepts into a gardening project. Students will gain an understanding of the ideal environment for growing plants and how to use innovative technologies to enhance that growth through engineering and mathematics. The project will introduce the relationship of these areas using a unique engineering design, along with nutrient technologies to expedite plant growth. Ultimately, students will recognize the beauty of the plants through artistry and understand the value of diagram sketches to plan for the design of the project.