Meredee Vaughan

Ms. Vaughan and Mr. Freeze implement the “Greenhouse Ecosystem Project” to provide students with an understanding of the complexities of ecosystems and to expose them to a real-world entrepreneurial venture. Students learn basic engineering principals and construct a greenhouse that uses solar panels as an energy source. After using multiple references to study the interrelationships of ecosystem components, students research soil and fertilizer effects on plant growth, track the greenhouse’s progress, and analyze the data for implications in larger ecosystems. With the assistance of an employee from a local bank, students develop a business plan for their gardening venture.