Phillip Dukes

Dukes’ winning teaching idea, “RUHS Closed-Loop Food Systems Program,” is a hands-on educational initiative that transforms how students understand sustainability, waste and agriculture. Using black soldier fly larvae, students will convert approximately 50 pounds of daily food waste into high-quality animal feed, creating a closed-loop system that mirrors natural ecological cycles. According to Dukes, students will design, build and manage the system-from waste processing to larvae harvesting-gaining real-world experience in biology, environmental science, engineering and math through measurable outputs such as growth rates and feed conversion. The program will also integrate financial literacy and entrepreneurship, as students analyze cost savings and explore small-scale business models. The larvae support a school poultry system, producing eggs and manure for regenerative agriculture. Inclusive and hands-on, the program engages diverse learners and prepares students with practical skills and environmental awareness. Dukes plans to use the Voya grant to purchase a climate-controlled grow tent to house the entire system, heavy duty shelving, modular rearing bins, insect habitat tents and LED grow lights for breeding.