Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education School Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Harrison Elementary students grow hydroponic lettuce under Grow Ohio grant
Summary
Harrison Elementary students at Lakewood City Schools presented a hydroponic gardening project funded by a Grow Ohio grant; teachers and students described hands‑on learning, a recent harvest of about 25 pounds of lettuce and an upcoming visit to the Ranger Cafe at Lakewood High School.
Harrison Elementary students and staff presented a hydroponic gardening program funded by a Grow Ohio grant and described how the classroom project connected science lessons to real‑world skills.
Principal Sabrina Crawford introduced student leaders and described the student recognized as Harrison’s “resilient ranger.” Crawford said, “Maddie is a role model for others.” The principal and teachers then outlined instruction and student roles tied to the grant.
Teachers and student garden leaders described the program’s learning goals and recent activities. Mrs. Hickey, who helped oversee the grant, told the board the class had harvested and served the crop: “We actually grew 25 pounds of lettuce last month,” she said, noting the grant requires a measurable outcome. Student garden leaders described what they learned about plants, pollinators and troubleshooting problems such as downy mildew; one student explained that staff added a fan when the plants showed mold.
The program includes cross‑building collaboration: garden leaders will visit the Ranger Cafe at Lakewood High School to learn about food safety and preparation, and the class has planned a field trip to a local farm run by Resource Cleveland. Miss Ally, who led an in‑school taste test, told students, “This lettuce was actually grown by your classmates in Mrs. Hickey’s class.” Students praised the taste during the sampling.
Board members asked about funding. The presenter confirmed the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce funded the Grow Ohio grant that supported the program. Staff described how the hydroponic unit includes monitoring equipment (a TDS meter) for measuring water minerals and that the indoor system allows year‑round production in winter months.
Why it matters: the project ties science standards to hands‑on problem solving, gives students leadership roles and produces measurable outcomes the district can show to funders. Teachers said the program helped students try new foods and learn project‑based skills.
Board members and district staff praised the presentation and awarded certificates to student participants. The superintendent and principal said they will continue to highlight similar grant‑based projects across elementary schools.
