Student learning has blossomed at DATA at Ed White Middle School, thanks to the NEEF Student Impact Grant of $19,540 received last year. Kelsey Nuckolls and Melissa Flowers, the driving forces behind this initiative, firmly believe in the effectiveness of hands-on learning over traditional methods of instruction. Thanks to the grant, the students have cultivated edible greens and herbs in soil and hydroponically, allowing them to observe the differences between the two methods. This practical approach has made a tremendous impact on the students.
Elizabeth Aguirre, a 7th grader, was so inspired by hydroponic gardening that she decided to pursue STEM in her future studies. She found the experience to be educational and enjoyable, stating, “It made science more fun for me.”
Similarly, Javier Renteria expressed his appreciation for hands-on learning, saying, “Before, we used just to see slideshows and read books, and it was boring! Hydroponic gardening in class made it more interesting.”
Kelsey Nuckolls, the science teacher, emphasized the impact of hydroponic gardening on the students’ learning style, stating, “Hydroponic gardening has impacted our students’ learning style because they can visualize and have hands-on experiments versus traditional textbook learning.” The NEEF Student Impact Grant has undeniably enriched the learning experience for Ed White Middle School students, fostering a more engaging and practical approach to education.