In our relentless quest to reconnect students with nature, another vibrant school year has come to an end for Vireo. To mark the occasion, we have selected five key moments that showcase the dynamism and impact of the Vireo project in the community.

1.Success at the OSEntreprendre Challenge: Multiple schools shine

Several schools have stood out among the regional winners of the prestigious OSEntreprendre Challenge, which highlights entrepreneurial projects across Quebec. Their innovative use of the Vireo garden led to remarkable achievements:

Estrie : Notre-Dame-du-Paradis School

Bas-Saint-Laurent : Sainte-Ursule School
Montérégie: Robert-Ouimet High School
Côte-Nord: Dominique-Savio School

These regional successes now propel them toward national nomination, demonstrating the reach and impact of their initiatives. We proudly congratulate these schools on their extraordinary achievements. Their inspiring journeys motivate the entire Vireo community, illustrating the power of commitment and determination in achieving innovative and meaningful projects.

2.EcoPhonik concert: An ode to the environment by the students of Les Prés Verts students

In April, a remarkable event took place at the Palais Montcalm in Quebec City, where students from Mrs Amelie's class at Les Prés Verts Elementary School gave an impressive performance entitled "EcoPhonik." In collaboration with CEGEP de Sainte-Foy and La Camaradière High School, these young talents captivated the audience with musical performances on the crucial subject of the environment.

Guided by their passion for preserving the planet, the students of Mrs’ Sylvie used their voices to raise awareness and inspire action. But they didn't stop there.. Theyalso distributed plants grown in their Vireo hydroponic garden, giving the audience an immersive experience.

3. Vireo webinars: Exclusive learning opportunities

Vireo webinars have been a cornerstone of the past year, providing a dynamic platform to explore a variety of inspiring topics. Here are some highlights:

Food transformation webinar: Three visionary teachers shared their creative ideas for transforming their Vireo garden harvests into useful or tasty products. From soothing teas to delicious pesto and handmade soaps, this webinar was an engaging exploration of the possibilities of fresh food.
Tomatosphere™ Challenge webinar: Vireo and Let's Talk Science™ presented the exciting Tomatosphere™ Challenge, which allows students to explore the effects of space on tomato seed germination. The event provided educators with practical advice on how to implement this stimulating project in their Vireo garden, as well as a detailed overview of the materials needed and resources available.
Nutrition month webinar : In March, for Nutrition Month, Vireo teamed up with three education experts to explore the importance of addressing nutrition in schools across the United States. This thought-provoking dialogue with Dr. Michele Scotte, Chef Sean and Elizabeth Vinson-Phan highlighted innovative solutions and strategies for transforming how we approach school nutrition. The webinar offered valuable insights into building a healthier future for our children, covering topics such as integrating healthy eating habits into the school curriculum.

These webinars not only expanded participants' knowledge and skills, but also strengthened the Vireo community's commitment to education, innovation, and well-being. They served as catalysts for practical and inspiring initiatives that will continue to bear fruits for years to come.

4.Paul Ferrara’s teaching philosophy: Overcoming the fear of failure

Paul Ferrara is a passionate teacher who was at the beginning of his Vireo project in the spring of 2023. His goal was to provide his students with tangible and concrete learning experiences. This fall, Paul shared his philosophy with us: "Failure is expected and must be respected."

By incorporating this philosophy into the Vireo project, Paul effectively cultivated a classroom culture where failure was not only tolerated, but expected. This approach has been essential in teaching students that setbacks are not obstacles, but critical components of the learning process. It encourages students to take risks and learn from their mistakes, knowing that their efforts, whether successful or not, are valued.

Paul Ferrara's method illustrates the powerful role of innovative pedagogy in developing resilient and curious learners, and shows how a supportive learning environment can turn the perception of failure into a valuable growth opportunity.

Read the full article here

5. Ohana Institute's Thanksgiving recipe book

For Thanksgiving, students at the Ohana Institute in Florida turned their Vireo garden into a culinary inspiration. Using ingredients from their garden, they created a recipe book celebrating the festive spirit of the season. This initiative showcases the range of project possibilities offered by the Vireo hydroponic garden, from entrepreneurial projects to culinary endeavors.

Distributed throughout the United States, the recipe book has been downloaded by over a thousand curious educators, reflecting the excitement and impact of this initiative. Discover their delicious creations by browsing the recipe book here.

Conclusion

The 2023-2024 school year has been a time of growth and innovation for Vireo. Our partner schools’ initiatives have demonstrated the transformative potential of our project. As we move forward, we remain committed to inspiring and supporting projects that enrich education and cultivate a deep connection with nature. Thank you all for your continued commitment and support. Together, we are building a greener and more vibrant future!