A recent FSPS Back-to-School Grant funded by the Darr Family Foundation has sown the seeds of scientific inquiry and entrepreneurship at SPS AgAcademy. Through the “Microgreens and Mushrooms: Mastering the Art of Culinary Curiosities” project, 5th-grade students have experienced a truly hands-on education in sustainable agriculture.
Students took full ownership of the project, managing the entire cultivation cycle. They constructed growing systems, applied the scientific method to optimize growth, and developed critical problem-solving skills by troubleshooting challenges like mold. The program fostered responsibility and teamwork through rotating leadership roles, ensuring every student was accountable for the project’s success.
Program educators shared, “This project had such a significant and lasting impact. It empowered our students to take ownership of their learning, from troubleshooting hydroponic systems to making real-time decisions. Seeing them apply the scientific method to real-world challenges and then turn their harvest into a student-led Farmer’s Market was incredible. It truly fostered creativity, responsibility, and purpose.” 
The impact was profound, with 100% of students successfully growing and harvesting microgreens. They connected their work to nutrition by preparing a healthy snack from their harvest and gained real-world business experience through a student-led Farmer’s Market. The project not only enhanced the curriculum but also sparked a genuine passion for healthy eating and sustainability, with one student even starting a microgreens garden at home. This initiative has cultivated confidence, critical thinking, and a deeper connection to the natural world for every student involved.
Join us in ensuring every student at Springfield Public Schools has the chance to discover their passion. Get started today at SupportSPS.org/BacktoSPS or contact Jennifer at jlsickinger@spsmail.org or 417-523-0030.