Greenhouse Grant Awarded
Mackintosh Academy recently received a $3000 grant from the Colorado Garden Foundation to be used for improvements to our greenhouse. We incorporate the use of our greenhouse throughout our Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade curriculum. Our greenhouse provides the opportunity for our students to gain hands-on experience in studying and implementing crop production, comparing soil and hydroponic techniques, and developing entrepreneurial techniques to market their homegrown produce.
Mackintosh students assist in planning, maintaining, monitoring, and harvesting crops which they sell to our parent community. Nutrition education is also part of our curriculum and included in the program. Kids get to taste test various foods in our garden and share their thoughts.
Our Green Team sells food from our garden each week when there is a harvest. The money raised is used to support the garden program. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to grow in their leadership skills. They work hard to harvest, sort, and package the food for the greens sale. They also promote it with students, teachers, and parents. On occasion, some food is donated to teachers as a gesture of appreciation. There are also occasions when the funds from the food sales are donated to a worthy charitable cause.We are grateful to the Colorado Garden Foundation for their support of our program. The Colorado Garden Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to furthering the horticultural industry and is the producer of the Colorado Garden & Home Show. They have supported our program in past years, and we are thankful for their continued support.
Mackintosh Academy’s sustainability initiatives, including the greenhouse, are part of our International Baccalaureate curriculum which encourages students to take part in hands-on activities that benefit the environment. Our school has won multiple local, state, and national awards and honors for our “green” initiatives.