Logo courtesy of Seed Your Future
Seed Your Future is hosting its inaugural Green and Growing Seed to STEM Gala, June 13 at The Penthouse Hyde Park in Chicago.
Seed Your Future leads a national movement to promote horticulture and equip educators with the tools to introduce student green industry professional opportunities, including through the Seed to STEM program for high school teachers.
“This event forges meaningful, lasting friendships with teachers from across the country, and we are thrilled to be able to help foster that community with passionate people who believe in our mission,” said Jazmin Albarran, executive director of Seed Your Future. “We’re looking forward to an unforgettable evening of celebration and cultivation."
The event will include live entertainment, keynote remarks from industry leaders, a silent auction and opportunities to connect with other horticulture and green industry professionals.
Participating speakers include Albarran, John Dole from North Carolina State’s Department of Horticulture, Anna Ball of Ball Horticultural Company, past Seed to STEM program participants and three of this year’s teacher participants.
What is Seed to STEM?
Seed to STEM is a professional development program designed to equip high school educators with hands-on experiences, connections and classroom-ready resources to introduce students to careers in horticulture. The program includes:
- Professional development workshops: Virtual and in-person training sessions with horticulture experts.
- Industry immersion: Site visits to leading green industry businesses.
- Classroom resources: Lesson plans and activities tailored to various subjects.
- Networking opportunities: Collaboration with fellow educators and industry leaders.
This year, the program expanded to include educators from math, art, business, technology and English disciplines, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of horticulture and its relevance across various subjects.
By integrating into diverse subjects, Seed to STEM fosters creativity, critical thinking and environmental awareness in the classroom. It gives students a broader understanding of the green industry and its various careers.
The current participants represent 26 schools in 15 states and Washington, D.C., impacting 45,000 students annually.
As a free program for participants, including from 20 Title 1 schools, the Seed to STEM program relies on support from industry partners. Money raised helps to secure the program’s future and support the creation of the curriculum used in schools for future years.