Growing plants using renewable energy

WWF Canada

By John Danko
Teacher, Argyle Alternative High School
Argyle Alternative High School (Argyle) is a high school located in the inner-city of Winnipeg, Manitoba near the newly developed Waterfront Drive (adjacent to the Red River).  Students and staff have been developing a park-like Outdoor Educational Classroom since 2003.
I enjoy walking down the path in the outdoor classroom during the Spring.  The beauty of the flowering trees and shrubs and the aromas take me back to days of childhood when I would play amongst the trees  and flowers in my family’s backyard.

(c) John Danko
These visions of my youth and love of nature and the sciences has inspired me to help develop a classroom that is providing educational information to students, the community and general public regarding topics that include aboriginal culture, sustainability, earth science, environmental issues/concerns and renewable sources of energy.
Numerous educators and students have come  to work in Argyle’s outdoor classroom and obtain ideas that can be implemented at their school.
In 2008, I accompanied a student to Prague (Czech Republic).   Our school had been chosen to represent Manitoba/Canada at the Youth Eco-Parliament Congress.   We were both thrilled to be able to present our project to UNESCO.
Presently,  I am working with students and staff on a project titled Growing Plants Using Renewable Energy which is funded in part by the WWF-Canada Green Community School Grants program.   This project has allowed Argyle to construct two raised outdoor gardens and grow plants using renewable energy and efficient  LED lighting.  Vegetable, herb and flower plants are grown indoors throughout the year using renewable wind and solar energy and are transplanted in the outdoor gardens.  The vegetables and herbs are subsequently used by community members.  A video has been created about the project and is posted on Argyle’s outdoor classroom blog site.

Other activities completed to date include:

.Installed brick walkway, cedar benches, sculpture and geological garden
.Planted various species of trees/shrubs
.Installed wind turbine/weather station
.Developed scientific field kits
.Installed building which houses “hands on” learning activities
.Developed blog/web sites and videos to share our ideas and stimulate others to implement similar projects
.Installed digital sign which promotes sustainable development to the community
.Installed large solar panel on top of Argyle’s Outdoor Classroom building

Argyle’s goal is to show harmony, how everything can co-exist.  We are very happy to share our ideas with anyone who wants to listen.
For further information pertaining to Argyle’s Outdoor Classroom, please visit our website and blog site (there is a great video here made by students!)