HUNTINGTON – Gateway Regional High School won a $1,035 grant from Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom to support an inquiry-based gardening project for students in the Life Skills classroom. “Gateway to Gardening” students will grow organic heirloom vegetables, and use the project to practice mathematics and science learning.
The project will involve planning and expanding a pilot garden, growing fruits and vegetables, and setting up a business plan to sustain the project over time. Welding classes will plan and create row covers for the garden. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics lessons will be used to plan, create and implement an irrigation system for the garden.
The project was designed by teacher Michele Klemaszewski, although her students planned the budget, researched prices and materials, and determined the food that would be grown. Partners include Gateway’s Food Services Department, which has served some of the food raised in the pilot garden last year, and has received support from the Jacobs Ladder Business Association and Moss Hill Farm. Teachers are also submitting a $500 grant request to the Gateway Education Foundation to help cover the costs of the program.
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom formed in 1984. It is a private, non-profit organization that promotes agricultural education and training. Their mission is to foster an awareness and learning in all areas related to the food and agriculture industries and the economic and social importance of agriculture to the state, nation and the world.
The grant was written by Wendy Long and Michele Klemaszewski.
