STEM BEST Explore helps Easton Valley Greenhouse Summer Internship Program Succeed
When considering summer programming options, Easton Valley school leaders wanted to find a way to incorporate their greenhouse, which has to run whether it is in use or not. They also recognized that summer programming for elementary-aged students in their community is a sought after resource.
The Easton Valley Greenhouse Summer Internship Program was born thanks to a STEM BEST® Program Explore grant. Provided by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education, this funding specifically supports summer opportunities for existing models. Easton Valley Community School District is one of 17 STEM BEST® Program models producing programming for students through STEM BEST® Explore this summer.
“I really was just trying to find a way that our greenhouse could run year round, and we could provide a service that is hard to find for the Elementary Summer Adventure kids,” said Patty Schmidt, greenhouse teacher at Easton Valley. “I thought what a great way to show kids and community members we are using our greenhouse year round, and we are still teaching kids how to do things.”
As an added benefit to meeting these needs, Schmidt envisioned having high school students help facilitate the program, giving them experience and a little summer spending cash, too.
“It was very flexible, which is what a lot of them need with sports, jobs, vacations and other commitments,” Schmidt said.
Ten high school students served as interns with the program this summer, helping to maintain and monitor the greenhouse’s hydroponic units.
Students begin with daily maintenance tasks like checking and adjusting EC and pH levels, checking filters, harvesting produce and ensuring everything is watered.
“EC is the nutrients,” said Bridgette Moller, one of the student interns. “Since the plants are not being grown outside in soil, we have to manually give them the nutrients that they need. We use things like Florabloom micronutrients and other things like that to pour into the units, which give it the extra nutrients that it needs since there is just water constantly running through it and it’s not planted in the ground.”
Students recognize the unique learning opportunities this Explore-funded summer program is bringing to their school.
“I have always kind of been a gardener, “ Moller said, “ I really enjoy flowers, but this has opened my eyes up to more gardening with plants and herbs and stuff. I never really planted any plants at my house, but I’ve just really enjoyed working here over the summer.”
Students also appreciate the interactive nature of the experience and the responsibility entrusted to them.
“It’s been a good learning experience,” said London Kin, another student intern. “This is more hands-on learning about what plants need and taking care of them. I like that I can learn about planting and germination. I can learn that here, and then I can go home and do that with my mom in her garden.”
School leaders hope this sparks new interest in their agriculture program with the added benefit of honing real-world skills.
“Some of the students were not in any ag classes or expressed interest in this before,” Schmidt said. “ In fact, one of our homeschooled students who is dual enrolled decided they were going to try it, and it has been phenomenal. I’ve seen her opening up, and she feels comfortable around others. And another student who is very shy did an amazing job with the elementary kids. It has been really rewarding to watch the kids do that and find their confidence.”
These outcomes reflect the purpose of the STEM BEST® Explore Program: to provide Iowa students with meaningful, career-connected learning experiences that extend beyond the traditional school year. By engaging in hands-on projects, exploring career pathways and taking on authentic responsibilities during the summer, students continue to build the technical, professional and durable skills needed for future success.
For more information on the STEM BEST® Program, visit the Department’s STEM BEST® webpage or contact program coordinator Tanya Hunt at [email protected].
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