A $10,000 grant to further its greenhouse program was received by the Arete Academy in October.

The interdisciplinary project-based learning program has used the money to expand and improve its existing garden, and is making plans for the future, academy leader Tara Meinke said.

Meinke wrote the application for the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education grant, which is hosted by the Monsanto Fund (See http://www.americasfarmers.com/community-outreach/grow-rural-education/).

According to the organization’s website, schools are first nominated by local farmers. Grants are then awarded based on the merit of a math or science project proposed by the school.

The academy used some of the grant money to purchase a shed to house its lawnmower and wheelbarrow, which were previously stored in the greenhouse built last year.

“All of those supplies were basically in the walkway (of the greenhouse),” Meinke said. “Every time you’d try to plant something you’d have to take everything out.”

Students devoted class time over the last several weeks to assembling the shed. “Building the shed was a great opportunity to use my initiative and my problem-solving skills in a work-based environment,” student Francis Turoski said.

Various projects are being considered for the remaining grant money, such as an outdoor compost system for cafeteria waste, a grove of fruit trees, or a sensory garden, a place designed to stimulate the five senses for a calming effect.

Meinke said that the garden, a combined art, science, math and engineering project, has been a perfect fit for the diverse learning objectives of the Arete Academy.