Sauk Rapids-Rice High School
- Product: GrowTech™ Greenhouse
- Location: Sauk Rapids, MN
- Contractor: Bossardt Corp
- Specs:
- CSI Code:
- #22950
About this Project
Sauk Rapids is a small town located on the rapids of the Mississippi River near the confluence of the Sauk River. The first settlers arrived in 1851, and by 1886, Sauk Rapids had become one of the most important cities in Minnesota.
Sauk Rapids is now a thriving community with a population of over 13,000. The town offers a high quality of life, providing residents with excellent opportunities for living, working, and education. Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, which was newly built in 2003, is a testament to the town’s commitment to education, serving approximately 1,200 students.
As part of the high school’s commitment to providing a comprehensive and engaging education, Crystal Structures, a leading greenhouse manufacturer, constructed a state-of-the-art lean-to greenhouse on the school grounds. This greenhouse, measuring approximately 21′ x 15′, offers a stunning view of the beautiful Minnesota prairie.
The architectural-grade greenhouse serves a crucial role in the school’s science curriculum, particularly in the fields of biology and environmental science. It provides an ideal environment for students to study and understand the intricate processes of plant growth and development throughout the year. Regardless of the seasonal changes occurring outside, students have the opportunity to grow a wide variety of plants within the controlled environment of the greenhouse.
The greenhouse serves as a living laboratory, allowing students to observe firsthand how different factors, such as temperature, light intensity, humidity, and nutrient levels, impact plant growth and development.
By engaging in practical activities within the greenhouse, students gain valuable scientific skills, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation. They learn to apply the scientific method as they form hypotheses, design experiments, and draw conclusions based on their observations and findings.
Furthermore, the greenhouse promotes interdisciplinary learning by connecting various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. Students studying physics, for example, can explore the principles of light transmission and reflection through the greenhouse’s glazing materials. Those studying chemistry can investigate the composition of soil and the chemical reactions involved in plant nutrition.
The greenhouse also instills in students a deeper appreciation for the environment and the importance of sustainable practices. By witnessing the effects of climate control and resource management within the greenhouse, students develop a sense of responsibility toward conserving and protecting our natural resources.
The architectural-grade greenhouse at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School plays a vital role in the school’s science curriculum with a practical learning environment to explore the fascinating world of plants and apply scientific concepts.