Indoor Garden

Allison Bernard Memorial High School

Youth at Allison Bernard Memorial High School are working to tackle food insecurity with a hydroponic garden that grows fresh, local produce for their community and school programs.

Allison Bernard Memorial High School

Youth at Allison Bernard Memorial High School are working to tackle food insecurity with a hydroponic garden that grows fresh, local produce for their community and school programs.

The Problem

Allison Bernard Memorial High School is located in a rural First Nations community, meaning it takes 45 minutes for them to drive to the closest grocery store. The school is also housed in an older building with no cafeteria while they’re waiting for their new school building to be constructed, so they often have to bus students home for lunch. Between these challenges and the rising costs of food, students often struggle to have consistent access to food during the school week.

The Solution

The students at Allison Bernard decided to address this food insecurity through an innovative hydroponic gardening project. They aim to grow fresh vegetables in two towers to support their breakfast and lunch programs while educating students on sustainable food practices. Youth will lead the project by setting up and maintaining the system, integrating it into science and cultural studies, and using the harvest to prepare nutritious meals. This initiative not only provides hands-on learning but also fosters discussions about food security in Indigenous communities, empowering students to make a lasting impact!

students and 2 teachers worked directly on the project

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students and 21 teachers were provided produce at their school

Lessons Learned

The school also has an old greenhouse on its grounds but it’s been out of use for years due to lack of teacher training and student expertise. By integrating these towers into their science classes the hope is that it will prepare them to eventually start transferring seedlings into the greenhouse, leading to even more crops and food for the community!

“I am looking forward to working with the hydroponics system because project based learning is a cool way to learn. It lets you work on real problems and projects that you find interesting. You get to think critically, work with others and be creative. It makes learning more fun and helps you use what you learn in real life.”

Aveda Googoo, Student Lead

“The students really love the hands on. They love to be able to plant and see the outcome of what they actually grew themselves.”

Cora Lee Pino, Grade 11-12 Science Teacher

Allison Bernard Memorial High School in the News

PNI Atlantic News Article

Eskasoni’s Allison Bernard Memorial High School is working wonders when it comes to combatting food insecurity and it earned them a grant from the 2024 Dave Gunning Zero Hunger Fund.

Saltwire News Article

Allison Bernard Memorial High School students with hydroponic garden.

Related Lesson Plan

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Related Resource Guide

Hydroponic Systems Resource Guide

A comprehensive guide to inspire, support, and fund your hydroponic journey, packed with resources, lessons, and funding opportunities tailored for schools and communities.

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