Andrew Greenhouse experience stretches beyond science

The Victor J. Andrew High School greenhouse officially opened last spring. Since then, students have been exercising their green thumbs, science students have been conducting experiments, and Math and Construction classes have helped outfit the space.

Thanks to a $5000 District 230 Foundation grant, potting soil, soil bed materials, storage, gardening tools, and seedling markers have been purchased to help outfit the greenhouse.

The 1,152-square-foot greenhouse is climate-controlled for year-round use and is equipped with water and electricity. The greenhouse helps science teachers teach ecology, agriculture, and biology - everything from the life cycle of plants to how weather affects growing conditions. 

Beyond the obvious application to the sciences, the greenhouse also provides opportunities for students in other disciplines to participate in the greenhouse. Students in Math and Construction have built several shelving units. Likewise, with the help of some freshmen biology classes, the Andrew Green Team has plans for campus grassland restoration efforts, harvesting seeds from around Lake Andrew to start seedlings for spring transplanting. 

Some initial plans for the greenhouse include starting strawberry plants from seed to use for a DNA extraction lab, an interest survey for vegetable/flower starters for a spring plant sale, and even the potential of incorporating hydroponics in future years.