At Green Our Planet, our mission encompasses igniting curiosity and creating deep connections to the natural world, aimed at benefiting children, communities, and the global environment. As a national non-profit organization, we spearhead the largest and most comprehensive STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) school garden and hydroponics programs in the U.S., accredited by STEMworks. Our goal is to elevate student academic performance in STEM disciplines while also focusing on conservation and protection of the environment through dynamic, project-based learning. This encompasses integrating nutrition, financial literacy, and conservation education into PreK-12 schools.
The GardenConnect Grant by Green Our Planet targets US schools aiming to establish or enhance a school garden program. This initiative is designed to turn gardens into vibrant outdoor laboratories that foster experiential learning in STEM, nutrition, and conservation. By providing schools with a dedicated Green Our Planet Coordinator, the program shares valuable knowledge on garden building and maintenance, curriculum use, organization of student-run farmers markets, and empowerment of future scientists, chefs, and entrepreneurs. The services offered include assistance with garden setup, monthly developmental meetings, a curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science Standards, guidance on organizing a student farmers market, advice on garden grant applications and local sponsorships, expansion of gardens into Outdoor Garden Classrooms, access to a virtual academy of STEM video lessons, and comprehensive garden manuals. The total program cost is $3,500, with the grant covering $2,500 and the recipient school responsible for the remaining $1,000.