Registration | Log In

Search Grants | Fulfilled Grants | More About Find It, Fund It, Florida

Share

Please share this page to help in fulfilling this grant.

Project Goal

To replace and extend the Dover Elementary raised garden beds for the safety of the children and to impact all students by developing critical intellectual knowledge of the life cycle of plants that is aligned with state common core science standards through hands-on application. In conjunction with the First the Seed Foundation's TOMATOSPHERE Project and NASA, teachers from each grade level will receive a control group of earthbound tomato seeds as well as a set of seeds that have traveled to the International Space Station via Dragon X. Students will germinate the seeds, plant the shoots, and record and send their data to the First the Seed Foundation to support ongoing research efforts to test the viability of growing plants in space and on other planets. 

 

How Project Benefits Students

Currently Dover Elementary has three 4x8 wooden raised garden beds that pose a safety hazard as they are in severe disrepair, with exposed nails, decayed wood, and missing frame sections. The current beds are used annually by Grades 1-3. The Hillsborough County School District has committed to extending the irrigation system to service raised beds for Kindergarten and Grade 4-5.

This grant would fund the purchased of new beds for each grade level that are of vinyl composite construction and will last an average of 25 years. They are child safe and have no sharp edges or nails.

Each grade level would have two 4x4’ beds for their use throughout the school year. The First the Seeds Foundations give teachers the opportunity to request seeds for the fall or spring based on the best growing season in their geographic area. The purchased of additional seeds would give the students continued exposure to planting year-round, which is possible in Florida. The grant would also provide fresh garden soil. The school has a garden tiller, and the ground will be turned over prior to replacing the beds. A book on raised garden bed planting will be purchased for the Media Center and can then be checked out by each grade level prior to planting.  

 

Expected Outcome(s)

In additional to aligning to common core science standard for each grade level, students from this migrant and farming community understand the need to grow food here on earth. Now they can expand their knowledge and consider the importance of growing food in space. Hands on experiences enhance student growth and development, making connections with science, math, and literature. The project will also provide a common experience that students will be able to share with their families, supporting increased family discourse and the use of academic vocabulary outside of the classroom. 

 

Detailed Cost Summary

Items would be picked up locally at Lowe's or mailed with no shipping charge from Amazon. There is no cost for the tomato seeds from First the Seeds Foundation. The school has tools for planting and a tiller to turn the bottom layers of earth beneath the raised beds. Photos of current beds embedded in attachment. Thank you!  

 

Items