Sunset Ridge Elementary School and Middleton High School are teaming up to take care of Sunset Ridge's greenhouse this summer.
It’s the school’s first full year of maintaining the greenhouse – an effort led by Library Media Specialist Mr. Ren Schwab and a team of Sunset Ridge teachers, students and parent volunteers. This summer, they’ll get additional support from Mr. Ben Shrago and his science class at Middleton High School to automate the greenhouse's watering system.
“We loved the idea of bigger kids working with littler kids,” Schwab said. “We talked through what we needed, what was possible, and set the students loose on creating something that worked for their class project in high school.”
High school students are programming computers to sense moisture levels and run a watering system. They're putting the finishing touches on the moisture-sensor system, and set up a temporary timer to help with watering in the interim.
Planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting will be handled this summer by a team of Sunset Ridge staff, students and family volunteers.
“We are hoping it is a gathering spot for families in the summer for some wholesome device-free community time,” Schwab said.
Teachers incorporated the greenhouse into their curriculum throughout the school year.
“We examined the water cycle with third grade classes, and second graders grew and measured beans and sunflowers connected to understanding bar graphs in math and life cycles in science,” Schwab said. “Fourth graders planted a ‘legacy garden’ in which we hope to grow tomatoes, chili peppers, and garlic for salsa and sambal oelek, an Indonesian salsa of sorts.”
He said the greenhouse has helped students understand how food is grown and what healthy food can taste like.
“It has also helped them learn how to work with a community to make democratic decisions that are fair, community-oriented, and responsive to the needs of others,” Schwab said, noting connections to the mindsets and foundations of a Cardinal’s Journey.
Schwab emphasized that the greenhouse has been a community project with support from the District; Sunset Ridge staff, students, and families; the school’s PTA; and the larger community.
“Some community members donated seeds and starter plants; the PTA donated funds for soil and soil conditioners, lights, and heating mats; and staff and students have been harvesting, planting, and bringing home items,” Schwab said.
The project has grown throughout the school year, and the water-management partnership with Middleton High School students is another step in the greenhouse’s evolution.
“It’s been pretty fun to be a small part of this endeavor, and we hope it continues to grow and change!” Schwab said.