Engaging and educating - Restored greenhouse offers learning opportunities in Marion County

The Florence Morning News: By: Emmy Ribero

A historic greenhouse located at Creek Bridge STEM Academy in Mullins has been restored thanks to partnerships and funding from various organizations.
A partnership between the Original Six Foundation and the Marion County School District restored the greenhouse and allows for hands-on learning experiences for students.

It's a greenhouse on the surface, but the lessons it'll provide are just so much more than that,” said Kara Gormley Meador, director of the Original Six Foundation.

The Original Six Foundation was established in 2011 by then-South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. It focuses on supporting initiatives for schools in rural and underserved areas of the state. The foundation has invested around $243,000 in Marion County (not including the greenhouse) and around $3 million statewide.

It cost close to $50,000 to restore the greenhouse, Gormley Meador said.

“We are a STEM school with an incredible opportunity to engage, educate, and empower our students, families, school and community through this initiative,” said Dr. Brandon Hutson, principal of Creek Bridge STEM Academy. “We are excited to see the greenhouse restored for the first time since the school became a STEM Academy for grades K–8 in 2018.”

The greenhouse will be used for hands-on learning experiences in agriculture and STEM research.

Down the line, they hope to use the food they grow in the greenhouse to support a farmer's market, Gormley Meador said.

“This not only gives these kids hands-on experience to see how food grows, but to hopefully have access to that food, the lessons that they'll learn, the hands-on lessons in soil development and not only agriculture, but those entrepreneurial, those math lessons,” Gormley Meador said.

Financial assistance for restoring the greenhouse was provided by Nucor-Vulcraft, Marion County Healthcare Foundation, the SC Department of Agriculture ACRES Program, First Citizens Bank, Arbor One Farm Credit, Anderson Brothers Bank, Duke Energy, the SC 1890 Program and the Original Six Foundation.

“This greenhouse represents what’s possible when a community comes together for its children,” said Dr. Kandace Bethea, superintendent of Marion County Schools. “I deeply value the Marion County community and the way our partners continue to invest in our students. This project will have a long-term impact on generations of learners.”

The greenhouse was dedicated on April 23 to celebrate its reopening. Students, as well as businesspeople, educators and board members, and the head of the school district attended, Gormley Meador said.

There is a sign outside the greenhouse to recognize all the organizations that invested in making it happen.

“Since August to today, the back of the school has been transformed,” she said. “There's a huge energy around it.”