How could you sustain life on Mars?  

What would it take to simulate Earth's conditions in a closed system?  

Can we, as a team of engineers, build a viable biosphere?  

These are the driving questions that the fifth grade class at Cold Spring Elementary School has been investigating for the past several months through the STEAM program.  Charged with the lofty goal of developing a structure that could account for all components necessary to sustain life on another planet, these undaunted 5th graders embarked on a truly open-ended inquiry project.  

After hours of planning, researching, constructing, and redesigning, the class presented their biosphere prototypes to local fabricator (and CSS alum): Mattie Shelton.  Mattie's experience designing and constructing small, creative living spaces made her the perfect partner for the 5th grade class.  Together, she and the students discussed, redesigned, and ultimately generated a solid plan for a greenhouse that could achieve the objectives of the biosphere.  

The 5th graders, empowered and determined, brought their plans to the CSS Board of Trustees. The board enthusiastically supported the students in their endeavor, and granted permission for the kids to construct their greenhouse.  

Which brings us to you!

Would you please consider joining us on this journey to construct a student-designed greenhouse?  Our construction materials are: tube steel, 2x2s, 2x4s, corrugated fiberglass, an assortment of fasteners, and paint.  Our quoted cost for materials landed at $991, and the kids have already begun planning how they can contribute toward this fund as well.  Please know that as you are giving, they are joining alongside you, selling lemonade, walking dogs, and looking for ways to provide their own services in exchange for donations too.

Here's the best part...

Once the greenhouse is constructed, a new level of learning can begin.  All students at Cold Spring School, K-6, will have the opportunity to access the greenhouse as a living laboratory in which to conduct individualized grow investigations.  These investigations will encourage students to follow personal curiosities and pursue passions.  Individualized learning is not just lasting, but it fosters a deep love of science and a connection to the natural world.  It is this sense of connection to the Earth and others, that our greenhouse aims to cultivate.  Once in place, the greenhouse will serve as a hands-on context for kids to consider their responsibilities as global citizens and stewards of the environment.  Students will be able to investigate how plants respond to limited resources or a changing climate.  Through their investigations, students will have a greater understanding of human impacts on the environment, allowing them to become more informed, aware, and ecologically-conscious citizens.

Back Up Plan