The Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation has provided $15,000, to be matched by the school district, to invest in student programs. Hydroponics and esports will see the funding.
Both programs are still growing, and the new projects are matching the student interest.
Camille Kaul is Aberdeen School District assistant superintendent. She said this will help make ends meet.
“We thought this would be a good way to help pay for some of those things we just hadn’t budgeted for yet," Kaul said. "It’s going to cover some of our esports equipment and then it’s also going to help pay for our hydroponics towers, which is just another form of growing fruits and vegetables.”
Kaul said technology isn’t just for esports.
“The hydroponics is going to be part of our greenhouse addition," Kaul said. "We have a lot of technology going into that area, and it’s just another way for students to see how we are advancing technology in ways of growing foods.”
And students might even get to taste the literal fruits of that greenhouse.
“The food that we’re going to use from our hydroponics towers is going to go back into our restaurant," Kaul said. "We have a pro-start program which is a restaurant class, culinary class.”
The greenhouse has been in place since the fall semester. Kaul said the investment will create more hands-on learning opportunities for students in the school’s horticulture class.