The Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men has offers a unique school program: An agriculture program that students learn how to grow fruits, vegetables and spices and then cook meals with the ingredients they grew.
There are several gardens and now a hoop house (indoor greenhouse) on school grounds.
In addition to gardens at the school, the students in the program complete all sorts of small projects. Their next project: constructing personal greenhouses.
The greenhouse will allow students in the program the opportunity to grow fresh fruits, vegetables and spices at their own homes, as well as providing the opportunity for the students to spread the knowledge of what they have learned within their communities.
The project was created to relate agricultural teachings to daily life, while incorporating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) lessons.
Every aspect of the project, from drawing blueprints to calculating prices is managed by the students. Oversight and guidance is provided by program director Marquita Reese.
“She pushed us very hard, but she has our best interests at heart, and we all love working with her,” said Kyle Davis, a student in the program.
