Annina Wells and Macy Mills

Wells’ and Mills’ innovative teaching idea, “Hydroponics & Harvests: Growing Literacy,” addresses food insecurity while growing STEM/ELA skills through hands-on learning and leadership. Livonia High School’s Outdoor Club, which has already proven to have positive impacts, supports students academically while simultaneously increasing students’ access to nature by providing incentives that bring youth outdoors. After proving outdoor incentives boost GPAs (67% of students achieved the 2.7 GPA threshold last year compared to 45% the year prior), the club will use the Voya grant to expand the project by adding two hydroponic systems yielding 20+ pounds per month. Wells and Mills also plan to create two to three local food pantries that will provide 24/7 access to school-produced produce. Students will publish a monthly Garden Almanac that will track plant growth, feature farmer interviews and offer QR garden tours; all of which meets ELA standards while serving the community. The school’s agriculture classes will analyze hydroponic data and Outdoor Club seniors will mentor underclassmen. The Voya grant funds will go towards purchasing hydroponic systems, seeds and lumber to build the food pantry.