Last month, Stephen Ritz, the founder of Green Bronx Machine, visited the St Mary’s campus. Green Bronx Machine is a nonprofit organization based in the South Bronx, New York City. Their main focus is to “grow healthy schools, schools, and communities”. During this visit, he was with the elementary school students, helping them with creating their very first garden project.
Green Bronx Machine is an organization that uses urban farming and classroom gardens to educate students about healthy eating and nutrition, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), sustainability and environment, and teamwork. Through this, the organization’s focus is not just about gardening, but more importantly, social change. The program has helped improve student attendance and grades, provide fresh-grown food for low-income communities, and teach life skills.
In this visit, the elementary students learn the same thing. Stephen Ritz was reported to be engaging and taught the students about how growing food can strengthen communities, but also about health. As said before, the students got their very first garden project, even if it was not in the best conditions due to the rain.
Stephens Ritz’s visit to St Mary’s Elementary School has profoundly impacted their learning, teaching the students about sustainability, a topic that is widely covered in modern society. Despite the rain, his engaging energy and message about sustainability taught students about how small things can create meaningful change. The experience encouraged the fellow students to take part in building a greener and healthier future.
