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High school students code sensors in NSF-backed ‘smart greenhouse’ project
Summary
Administrators described a National Science Foundation–funded smart-greenhouse project coordinated by the Maine Math and Science Association and Boston College that integrates plant science and block-based coding using micro:bit processors; teachers said students are highly engaged and the program supports cross-state collaboration and teacher professional development.
The board saw two videos and heard about a new smart-greenhouse curriculum that integrates plant science and computer science through hands-on data collection and block-based coding. Administrators said the project is funded by a National Science Foundation grant administered through the Maine Math and Science Association (MMSA) and implemented in partnership with Boston College; materials and teacher supports were grant-funded.
Miss Arline, a computer-science teacher who participated in MMSA’s summer institute, told the board students used tabletop greenhouses equipped with micro:bit processors and sensors to measure temperature, humidity and light and then controlled heaters, fans and lights based on coded programs. She described high student engagement and said other educators in Maine and beyond are adapting the curriculum based on the class’s experiences; she plans to attend the 2026 MMSA summer institute at Colby to continue developing the work.
The project was presented as a hands-on example of STEM curriculum that builds computational thinking, coding skills and scientific inquiry while providing professional development for teachers and cross-district collaboration.
What happens next: administrators invited board members and community visitors to observe the class and said they will continue collaborating with MMSA as the project expands.
