Edible Classroom at Regency Park lum Borough
PLUM BOROUGH SCHOOL NEWS
Regency Park has a new classroom . The “ Edible Classroom ,” an environment where students engage in hands-on learning by experiencing project management , growth , and sustainability , is a classroom not seen in an elementary setting . Two years ago Regency Park was awarded a grant from the Alcoa Foundation to begin teaching the students about hydroponics . At that time , Regency ’ s Principal , Justin Stephans , envisioned students learning about herbs , lettuce , and plants as a result of growing them through hydroponics . Little did he know that two years later the idea of hydroponics in the classroom would “ grow .” First grade teacher , J . R . Pilyih , enjoyed the hands-on approach to learning so much that he wanted to expand on the concept . Mr . Pilyih especially enjoys hydroponics and aquaponics because it reinforces the growth mindset .
After soliciting help from other teachers and local business , Always Green , he approached Regency Park ’ s current Principal , Jeff Hadley , with an idea unlike any in Plum ’ s other elementary schools . Pilyih ’ s idea was to convert a classroom into a “ grow room .” A room that involves growing plants , herbs , vegetables , fruit , and even raising Tilapia . Mr . Hadley was immediately on board and encouraged Mr . Pilyih to get started .
Regency students will begin by studying aquaponics and its effects on the environment . Part of this learning will include engaging students in the scientific process and comparing environments that use aquaponics with environments that
34 Plum don ’ t . Next , students will create and design an aquaponics system . Throughout the year , students will be engaged in problem solving to determine how to raise and lower the ph of the water , critique the factors affecting ecosystems , and how the students can change the systems both positively and negatively . The environment in which the fish live is ever changing . Students will constantly need to problem solve in order to sustain life for the fish and vegetation . The children will need to reflect and revise each day as they collect data to ensure a beneficial habitat that supports life . Once the students have the systems stabilized and flourishing , their next goal would be to take on the roles of educator and promoter . How can the students take their knowledge of aquaponics and share it with other classrooms throughout the district ? The state ? The world ? Using aquaponics and hydroponics , students will grow food that will be used to feed their classroom pets and provide healthy foods for the students ’ lunches . Additionally , students will become “ agri-preneurs ” by growing and selling their product at the school ’ s Farmer ’ s Market . Students will reinvest their profits into the Edible Classroom ; thus learning economics , problem solving , and life experiences that demonstrate the effects of their actions .
Mr . Hadley and the Regency staff are excited to see how the new “ Edible Classroom ” transforms learning for Regency ’ s students . Using hydroponics and aquaponics , Regency ’ s students will learn that when they don ’ t get the results that they want , they reevaluate , adjust , and try again . These are wonderful lessons that the students will be able to apply to all aspects of their lives .