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UA+Ed Grants in Action: Going Green! UA+Ed Supports Hands-On Environmental Learning Initiatives
- Jul 28
- 3 min read
We were “seeing green” during the 2025-26 school year! Multiple Upper Arlington Education Foundation (UA+Ed) grants planted the seeds for a greener future across our schools, supporting district areas of focus including STEM, Innovation, Service Learning and Well Being/Belonging.
At UAHS, the student-led Sustainability Club used UA+Ed grant funding to launch a much-needed paper recycling initiative, with student volunteers ensuring the program's success through weekly collection routes.
Wickliffe Progressive Elementary teachers and students were definitely “going green” this year as they enhanced the natural spaces around their school with funding from three UA+Ed grants.
Fourth graders led a project to revitalize a stormwater bioretention basin in front of the school into an effective filtration system. Native plants were added, serving as an outdoor learning opportunity.
Math students used their design skills to build birdhouses to be installed in the outdoor classroom for all students to make observations, collect data and enjoy nature.
“The Octopus’s Garden,” a space honoring past principal Chris Collaros, is being rejuvenated by students. A UA+Ed grant is funding native plants that are essential to birds, moths, butterflies, and bees in Central Ohio and installing an irrigation system to keep the garden healthy. Students, staff, and community members enjoy visiting this space for peaceful moments, reflection, and small group instruction.
Hydroponic growing initiatives flourished with support from UA+Ed, providing students with innovative, hands-on learning experiences in sustainability and agriculture. The Tremont Elementary “Sprouting Futures” grant funded a year long hydroponic growing service learning initiative in which every Tremont student engaged in growing an edible garden. The hydroponic growing initiative also fostered collaboration and belonging by bringing students together for periodic hands-on activities with their cross-grade “Cub Clubs.”
UA+Ed was proud to support the “Back to GREENsview” 60 year celebration at Greensview Elementary. It was a school year of leading students in environmentally conscious activities, one of which was yet another hydroponic growing initiative. Tiny seeds were transformed into three harvests of fresh lettuce, including Green Star, romaine, Summer Crisp, and butterhead varieties. Beyond learning about sustainable agriculture, students became confident leaders—sharing their hydroponics journey during professional presentations to the school community, grant partners, local leaders, and families while teaching peers about the growing process and serving fresh greens.
"Many third grade students shared that hydroponics was one of the best memories they have of third grade," said teacher Austin Syar. "It not only built their knowledge in sustainable agricultural practices, but also made them feel very capable of persevering through hard situations to help others receive fresh vegetables."
Through the combined support of UA+Ed, Greensview PTO, the district's Service Learning program, and guidance from Farmer Sean McKay of Mid-Ohio Food Collective, students were given the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to their school and community.
Thanks to donors like you, UA+Ed is proud to support a variety of "green" grants that inspire students to roll up their sleeves, learn by doing, and care for the world around them. From vibrant student gardens and creative recycling initiatives to hydroponic lettuce labs and bioretention revitalization, students will continue to engage in meaningful opportunities to help create a greener future.
The Upper Arlington Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides access to meaningful opportunities for students that are beyond the budget of the Upper Arlington School District. Established in 1985, UA+Ed is permanently structured to fund programs and projects today and for generations to come. The Upper Arlington Alumni Association is an important part of the foundation and keeps graduates connected, engaged, and motivated to pay it forward.
Fun Fact: UA+Ed funded over 100 grants, scholarships, and awards in 2025. The chart below shows the distribution of “impact areas” being supported.
