Case Study
ROLE: Design Lead + Producer
Youthful Diets
While residing, I participated in a study with local grade schools and the diet of their students. With sugar heavy diets, many students were not getting the best nutrition. Some were even having a hard time understanding where their food comes from.
Connecting back to nature
Ideally a garden can easily solve this issue, literally showcasing how food comes to exist. But it can be hard to find space in classrooms for a full garden.
So what’s the ideal classroom garden kit?
Modular farming
Hydroponic plant growing systems involve very little to no soil and allow more plants to grow in a smaller amount of space. Perfect for a restricted classroom setting!
What did the users want in the growing kit?
After some field research on the matter, it was concluded that what students and teachers want is the kit to be:
Design Process
Various forms and hydroponics methods were explored for the best suited in a classroom environment.
Growing smart
with smart tech
Open-source hardware in the Giving Tree allow students to monitor the plant’s environment and learn the science behind agriculture.
Communal growing, individual plants
Though a collective growing system, every student is responsible for a pot which they can personalize. The students have to work together to nurture their plants.
Ideally the story would go along like this…
Will it work on the field?
First of it’s kind
An operational unit was tested to ensure everything with the kit worked smoothly.
Teaching the System in the Classroom
Alongside the hydroponic system is an entire course book that teaches students and teachers how to operate the Giving Tree units and what to grow for class meals.