WASHINGTON — Digital Pioneers Academy is a tuition-free public charter school in Southeast D.C. and the newest recipient of a $1,000 STEM for Her Enrichment Grant to support their new community garden.
To honor Earth Day, students learned all about the history of the important occasion to honor our Earth and made seed bombs, a mixture of dirt and clay stuffed with seeds to toss into their schools courtyard.
"We know the strength that can come from a community garden comes from girls learning how to garden which teaches you about nature, environmental studies, critical thinking, problem solving," said Jennifer Fortney, the Executive Director of STEM for Her as she presented the check to students of DPA. "And we're hoping that this money can help continue that process for you."
STEM for Her also gifted two $500 Lowe's gift cards to leaders of Digital Pioneers Academy STEM program.
Cristine Gollayan, the Chair of the STEM for Her board said, "I know that what they're planting today is going to enrich them not only because of the garden but also inside of themselves to reach their full potential."
Coach MJ Reynolds, the 7th grade math teacher of Digital Pioneers Academy and leader of the STEM program told WUSA9, "It was amazing to partner with STEM for Her just to give them this enrichment to stop and think about this Earth that we live on every single day. The kids walk these halls, they walk these grounds, and we want to see beautification around and have a reason to come to school."
That's something Prianna White, a 7th grade student, couldn't agree with more. "Gardening isn't just for us to look at something for us to have patience and to learn about our nature and have skills to build up on it."
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