Empathy, and Knowledge through Sustainability
Sustainable Practices help's bring safe, school grown products to our children's lunch.
About You
About You
First Name
Carlos
Last Name
Quiroga
Twitter URL
Facebook URL
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Organization Website
Organization Country
United States
Country where this project is creating social impact
United States
Is your organization a
Please select
Your role in Education
The type of school(s) your solution is affiliated with
How long has your organization been operating?
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Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Idea (you're poised to launch)
How long has your solution been in operation?
Still in idea phase, but looking to launch soon
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
Try to reverse the increasing trend in our current population of narcissism, and reduce the need for cheap processed food.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
The plan would be to implement a hydroponic system Within the school itself. The usual problem with hydroponics is the call for artificial light which uses a lot of electricity. To fight this, and work optimally, there must be large windows that run the length of the east, and west wall. In conjunction with these large windows, reflectors should be placed at the bottom of them, and also on the ceiling of the room. This would allow for optimal sunlight throughout the entire day to enter the room. The purpose of having a hydroponic system within the school as opposed to outside, is to allow production year round. The empathy grows from the action of growing something, taking pride in that, then sharing with fellow classmates and teachers.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
Most Hydroponic systems have between 30 to 60 cups for use. If we took even the modest thirty cup system, and planted tomatoes we could harvest over 100 pieces of fruit if every vine grew the minimal 3 to 4 tomatoes. In actuality students aren't limited to tomatoes, but could grow a myriad of different fruits and vegetables. By growing their own, and being kept locally, there is less of a chance that the food will become contaminated, and is under the direct supervision of a faculty member the entire time. This will allow the chefs of school lunches to have more creative imput, give the children diversity in what they eat, and bring a healthier lifestyle then much of the processed food we currently serve. The system would be monitored by a single teacher that holds three classes a day. Every class would be half actually working with the plants, and the other half learning a mix of biology/agriculture. To optimize the impact on the students, the class shouldn't exceed more then ten. This will allow greater work with the teacher, and not allow them to get loss in a sea of faces as is the problem with alot of over-crowded classrooms.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
Friends of this initiative would include almost every group that calls for more organic fruits and vegetables, the Future Farmers of America Association, and anyone that promotes the use of sustainable habits. The competitors would be the corporations that are currently supplying foods to our schools. If this was to catch on to a significant number of schools, and they replaced 10% of their menu with self grown products, those corporations would take a big hit.
Now that you have thought out your entry, help us pitch it.
Define your company, program, service, or product in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
Sustainable Practices help's bring safe, school grown products to our children's lunch.
Identify what is innovative about your solution in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
Group sustainability, freely giving away its products for the greater good of the children's community, their school.
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
There has been no impact, this is only an idea so far.
What is your projected impact over the next 1-3 years?
If implemented, within a year, the children will be able to contribute (based on the size of the space used) between 15% to 30% of their menu with locally grown fruits and vegetables. This could cut down on behavioral issues that stem from poor diet, and would lead to an increase in self and school respect.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Have the first round of crops available to use for the school's menu.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
Create an indoor hydroponic system. This includes large windows, reflective spots, and a working hydroponic system
Task 2
Select a capable teacher for the dual role of agriculture and biology.
Task 3
Create a seed bank, and secure a wide array of seeds for the children to experiment with.
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Drastic change in the school menu
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
Train school chefs in basic, nutritious recipes that incorporate whatever is being grown
Task 2
Have lead faculty create a system that logs what is ready, what will soon be ready, and what has just been planted.
Task 3
Tier growing so that there is a variety of fruits and vegetables crops ready on a weekly basis.
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world [125 words]
My aha moment, watching children steal because they're hungry.
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
No partnership currently.
What type of team (staff, volunteers, etc.) will ensure that you achieve the growth milestones identified in the Social Impact section? [75 words]
To create this I would need my ideas, a contractor to help construct a feasible room for this, and a teacher to maintain it.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
 | 60 weeks ago Carlos Quiroga updated this Competition Entry. |
| 60 weeks ago Carlos Quiroga submitted this idea. |
