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UMSL Collaboration, Food, Youth Programming

Green St. Louis Machine

The Green St. Louis Machine (GSM) is an educational initiative focused on promoting healthy eating, engaging students in STEM practices, and developing skills in urban agriculture, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

ongoing: The Green St. Louis Machine (GSM) partnership with UMSL College of Education began in fall 2017 and is ongoing. GSM programming takes place throughout the school year at partner schools and after-school at Mathews-Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club. The program is offered over summer at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, along with professional development opportunities for GSM educators.
Community Engagement, Program
Green St. Louis Machine

Housed at Mathews-Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club, the GSM partners with UMSL’s College of Education and Next Gen Growing to support local schools, educators, and students engaged in curriculum using aeroponic tower garden technology. GSM is inspired and supported by the work of global educator Stephen Ritz, founder of the Green Bronx Machine.


Science curriculum support for the Green St. Louis Machine (GSM) is provided by UMSL’s College of Education. Twice a year, GSM schools and partners come together for a Green Gala and Harvest Fest to make and share healthy food recipes from produce grown in the tower gardens. Parents and community members are invited to attend! Students can participate in GSM activities and experiments during summer camp at Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club. Two, four-week sessions offered in June and July, M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Throughout the school year, GSM educators and their students participate in various activities and experiments related to plant growth and healthy eating.

Impact

As of spring 2020, students at five local schools (Grand Center Arts Academy, Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls, North Side Community Middle School, Pamoja Preparatory Academy, and St. Roch Catholic School) and those who attend programming at Mathews-Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club gain first-hand experience growing, harvesting, and preparing healthy food from aeroponic tower gardens in their classrooms. Pre- and post-surveys from students engaged in the program show that among student gardeners, the number of students who enjoyed eating fruits and vegetables increased from 48% to 83% and students reported a 15% increase in their willingness to try novel healthy food.
Education Food Health

Contacts

Nicolle von der Heyde, M.Ed.
  vonderheyden@umsl.edu
  314-516-5095
William C. Kyle, Ph.D.
  kylew@umsl.edu
  314-516-5375

Partners

Sherry Amen
  sherry.l.amen@gmail.com
  314-757-6607
Mathews-Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club
  lwilliams@mathews-dickey.com
  314-382-5952

Location

  4245 N Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63115, USA

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