Abstract

Schools in Pontiac, Michigan, hold some of the lowest test scores and lowest attendance rates in the entire state. Low student performance correlates to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and many adults within the city of Pontiac have reported a high presence of ACEs. Thrive Gardens' goal is to improve the educational experience and well-being of Pontiac's youth. Children in Pontiac need a safe, stable, healthy environment to engage in learning activities while improving test scores. Thrive Gardens' grant proposal aims to combat these ACEs by providing a space for children to thrive as they learn STEAM, social, and life lessons while developing the necessary skills to care for a thriving garden. With raised garden beds, restructuring the existing playground, and adding indoor hydroponic grow-spaces, teaching staff can implement new lessons with hands-on activities that will support student learning, good nutrition, physical activity, and social-emotional needs. The program will conduct observational pre and post-assessments, similar to Child Observation Records (COR), to correlate progression. Thrive Gardens is a safe environment for growth, improvement, and cultivation of higher test scores.