It's a greenhouse .. technically. But the Growing Dome at the Aurora Middle School in Lac La Biche grows more than just plants and vegetables.
"There is cross-curricular programing and teaching for the students in the dome," says Aurora Home Economics teacher and primary 'Dome Boss' Sheraz Moghrabi. "With math, teachers can teach growth and measurement, science classes can learn hands-on about photosynthesis with water and light."
Teachers and students play a role in planting, watering and cultivating the many plants and vegetables that can grow in the dome. Since it was first built and began operating as a working classroom in March of 2018, the 1,400 square foot, multi-sided, solar-powered, space-ship-looking, silver bubble on the south side of the school's main building has fed not only the students' imaginations ... but the students themselves.
"The vegetables and food we can grow helps to sustain the Home Economics class and provide good nutritional food that we can grow right in our backyard," said Moghrabi, explaining that lettuce and kale, tomatoes and cucumbers were used in recipes for class assignments in the Home Economics class. "It's like a farm that the students take part in."
On several occasions last year, a salad-bar of sorts was set up at the school, allowing all students to taste some unique vegetables grown in the dome, like rainbow carrots and, kholrabi, and broccolini. Students have even sampled borscht-style soup made with some massive beets that were grown in the dome.
The ability to grow food throughout the year is both a unique opportunity and a unique challenge. With reduced sunlight in the winter months, school officials say the second growing season of the year yielded a smaller harvest than the first one in the summer. A new grow-light system will soon be equipped in the dome to replicate summer sunshine all year round.
Moghrabi says the dome is a big hit with the school's students whether they are "putting their hands in the dirt," or just coming into the building with their class for a quiet reading session surrounded by warmth and life.
"It's amazing for them because it's the middle of winter and they can spend time like this," she said.
There's no place like Dome
Aurora Principal Rob Wicker says the dome has been a great addition — not only for his school's staff and students, but for the community.
Kindgergarten to Grade 3 students from the neighbouring Vera M. Welsh School often book times to visit the Growing Dome, and Wicker sees the invite list including some much older community members too.
"Ideally, we'd love to have the seniors from LacAlta Lodge come for visits or kids' programming from the libraries," he said.
Community open (green) house planned
Like the idea of sharing the garden foods with the students, Wicker would like to share the indoor garden with the community.
"It's such a unique place," he said, explaining that the school-based Growing Dome is the only one of its kind in the Northern Lights Public Schools district.
The idea for the Growing Dome grew from a 'wish list' idea thrown out during discussions as school officials were joining the Apple Schools Program three years ago. A province-wide initiative to provide and educate about healthy food and activity for Alberta students, the Apple Schools program is funded by Health Canada and many local donors including Inter pipeline, and Canadian Natural Resources Limited. During discussion as the program was being implemented, staff were asked for their best idea- no matter how far-fetched — for the school. The idea of a greenhouse was brought up. It was a $150,000 idea that staff members latched onto and went out to find funds and in-kind donations.
The Northern Lights Public Schools district trustees heard a presentation from school staff and the seed was planted. The school division kicked in $100,000 toward the project. An addition $25,000 came from the Alberta Pacific pulp mill. The Lac La Biche and District Gas-Co-op donated labour, natural gas and infrastructure . Other community partners donated time and work and dollars to the project.
"There has been a great community buy-in," said Wicker.
The community is expected to be thanked for that support in the coming weeks as Wicker and his staff are organizing an open house at the Growing Dome.
