“I couldn’t be more proud of Ciara Byrne, one of our 2019 #ObamaFellows, who not only helps students understand and learn science and math concepts, but also helps them understand the importance of taking care of our planet.”
-Michelle Obama, former First Lady
Program Type
Curriculum/Instructional MaterialsHands on/Project-Based
Curriculum/Instructional Materials
Hands on/Project-Based
Target Audience
All Students
Location
Nationwide
Grades
Pre-K - 5
Pre-K - 5
Accomplished link
Program Impact
Since 2013, Green Our Planet has improved STEM education for over 130,000 students through implementing more than 220 school gardens and school hydroponics programs across the country.
Program Overview
Green Our Planet is a nonprofit education organization that runs the largest and most comprehensive STEM school garden and hydroponics programs in the United States. Green Our Planet uses school gardens and hydroponics as hands-on learning tools to increase student academic performance in STEM subjects. Green Our Planet’s programs are built upon standards-aligned STEM curricula for grades K-5, which also include lessons on nutrition, financial literacy and conservation. The experiential curricula empowers educators to help students connect STEM concepts to real-life applications using school gardens and indoor hydroponics.
How To Get Involved
In order to impact more students, Green Our Planet seeks businesses, foundations and organizations to financially support school garden or hydroponics STEM programs in their communities. Individuals can also donate to support improved STEM education through school gardens and hydroponics by visiting www.greenourplanet.org.
Funders and PartnersGreen Our Planet’s generous funders, partners and supporters include the following businesses and organizations: Switch, Consumer Technology Association, The Brees Dream Foundation, The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and the Obama Foundation. Please view a full list of our sponsors and supporters on our website.
Design Principles
The programs in this database clear a high bar. STEMworks reviewed each program against the Design Principles for Effective STEM Philanthropy.
Accomplished
Developing
Undeveloped
Overarching Principles
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Need
Identify and target a compelling and well-defined need.
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Evaluation
Use rigorous evaluation to continuously measure and inform progress towards the compelling need identified.
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Sustainability
Ensure work is sustainable.
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Replication and Scalability
Demonstrate replicability and scalability.
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Partnerships
Create high impact partnerships
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Capacity
Ensure organizational capacity to achieve goals.
STEM Principles
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Challenging and Relevant Content
Offer challenging and relevant STEM content for the target audience
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STEM Practices
Incorporate and encourage STEM practices.
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Inspiration
Inspire interest and engagement in STEM.
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Under-Represented Groups
Identify and address the needs of under-represented groups.