This is a school and community center gardening program tied to academics and project-based learning using the Tower Garden and the Green Bronx Machine (GBM) Classroom Curriculum. We have chosen to recommend and include the GBM programs based on their track record and outstanding results.

Much of the information and data we outline with Nutrient Rich Kids is shared by and credited to the Green Bronx Machine which states…“the curriculum uses technology-enabled lesson plans which use food and plant life cycles to teach multiple subjects. Created by administrators and educators specifically for educators, each standards-aligned lesson plan and activity set helps students meet a core academic requirement. Students foster deep knowledge about gardening, food production and health and wellness. Lesson plans focus on Science, Math and Language Arts and easily extend to Technology, History, Art and Cooking.”

“The dynamic, collaborative experience creates transformational results. Students from all walks of life are inspired to take pride in something they are building and cultivating, opening a door through which additional learning can take place. They also learn critical thinking and problem solving as they explore, discover and create their own ecosystems. And for students in high-need and low-status communities, learning to grow their own food can lead to personal and professional opportunities which can be nothing short of life changing. The Green Bronx Machine Classroom Curriculum helps educators reach students of all abilities academically while also teaching personal responsibility, building entrepreneurial skills, promoting workforce development, and transforming lives… one lesson plan and one seed at a time.“

The curriculum is licensed to each individual school or community center so it can be a collaborative experience between the GBM and the teacher or program director. GBM provides the curriculum, access, resources and education and the school or community center provides feedback and data.