Montana school plans for new greenhouse

Building a greenhouse that will become an outdoor laboratory for students and a hallmark of experiential learning at Whitefish High School is coming to fruition.

When the school’s aging greenhouse was demolished during school reconstruction, students in the Freeflow and environmental clubs were driven to raise money for another one.

In February, the clubs surpassed a $50,000 goal and raised $70,000 with support of local philanthropists Richard and Carol Atkinson.

Earth sciences teacher and Freeflow adviser Eric Sawtelle said students have put a lot of effort in every aspect of the greenhouse project, which included giving presentations to local businesses during the fundraising campaign.

“I’m really impressed with their initiative and drive and willingness to make this happen,” Sawtelle said. “I think it’s a really powerful part of learning and being part of the community.”

More money means students, staff and community stakeholders can dream bigger in designing a self-sustaining program. Greenhouse planners are  thinking about aquaponics systems and raising fish along with vegetables and herbs. Sawtelle said students want their school work to make an impact.

“Students are driven to do real-world things and have their work be meaningful,” Sawtelle said.

The high school is developing an educational program tentatively titled the Sustainable Energy, Agriculture and Entrepreneurship program.

Still in the research phase, site visits are being planned to various farms, greenhouses and Flathead Valley Community College to dig into what an educational program might look like for kindergarten through 12th grade, Whitefish School Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt said during a board meeting last week.

“Right now we are in the process of really drafting that expanded instructional vision,” Davis Schmidt said later. “Our curriculum director is identifying many of the instructional programs we already have in place around sustainable energy and agriculture so we can get a feel for what we’re already doing.”