Teacher: Margie Marlin
School: Carlson Elementary
District: Clear Creek
District Website: https://carlson.ccsdre1.org
School Address: 320 Hiway 103 Idaho Springs Co. 80452
Grade Level: Pre-K all subjects
Region: Central Mountains
Project Title: Snack Garden
Category: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Amount Requested: $1,000

Project Description:
"Snack Garden" is a STEM project for our Pre-K classrooms where children will grow vegetables from seed to harvest and enjoy the food they grow. Carlson Elementary, located 30 miles from Denver in the mountains, serves 145 students, of which 29% are economically disadvantaged. Historically, we have had a garden for children to tend, but our new location currently lacks water access and gardening space. The proposed growing system would allow children to grow food throughout the school year, which doesn't align well with the outdoor growing season. Studies have shown that children who grow their food are more likely to eat more fruits and vegetables and try new foods.

Proposal:
Gardening with children is an excellent opportunity for hands-on learning and exploration. Gardening encourages problem-solving, planning, coordination, and understanding of scientific processes as children observe plant growth. It also promotes nutrition awareness and can improve children's willingness to try new foods. Gardening activities have proven to reduce stress, develop confidence, and allow children to connect more deeply with nature.

The system we are requesting will provide a year-round gardening opportunity for our students. The classroom-based hydroponic setup will allow children to watch plants grow daily, fostering their curiosity and understanding of natural systems. Additionally, the LED grow lights and automatic timers will simplify the process for teachers, ensuring the garden thrives with minimal oversight.

Budget Breakdown:

• Four hydroponic grow systems with full-spectrum LED grow lights, automatic timers, and water reservoirs: $1,200
• Each system holds up to 17 plants and uses HydroSoil Seedless Pods with built-in nutrients. Two systems will be placed in each Pre-K classroom.
• Future costs for replacement pods will be covered by the classroom budget.

Photos:
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