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The Gary Community School Corporation has partnered with GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) to develop a student-run community garden program at West Side Leadership Academy.
Recently, representatives unveiled a newly erected garden greenhouse, which will help extend the life of the plants and produce that the students have been growing. The program also provides opportunities for students to explore STEM careers while learning about the benefits of agriculture.
“We are so excited for this addition to our STEM efforts,” said Anita Johnson, Director of GEAR UP. “In today’s world, we know our scholars need to be able to think critically and outside the box, so projects like this are beneficial as they make important decisions about their futures.”
The Gear UP program has worked with the class of 2022 and class of 2023 since their 7th and 8th grade years to provide enrichment programming and support through their academic careers. Through the partnership with GEAR UP, the Purdue Extension and a host of other community partners, the community garden will operate year-round through the greenhouse.
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