People planting seeds in small pots, using soil and a watering can, with a focus on hands and gardening activity.
Logo for Hydrobons STEM Program with text highlighting themes: STEM Education, Urban Farming, Entrepreneurship, Organic Eating.

Hydroponics STEM Program

Promotional flyer for a hydroponics STEM program featuring leafy green lettuce and a tomato plant, with a robotic device and LED grow lights in the background.
Flyer for hydroponics STEM program featuring images of tomatoes and lettuce, explaining year-round cultivation with hydroponic systems.

The Hydroponics STEM Program's mission is “to serve as an instrument for developing a positive relationship between the historical influence of Black people in agriculture and the STEM advancement to healthy independent eating; impacting youth in food insecure zones.” Our vision is to provide a sense of pride in their history, curate a healthy eating environment, and explore opportunities.

Why?

Creating a sustainable Milwaukee from the inside out. The community-based program will prepare students for 2 career paths: Entrepreneurship and/or STEM. Both paths influence socioeconomic factors and health behaviors by immediate access to fresh produce, STEM education, and entrepreneurial experience.

Increased economic and educational innovation: Build new businesses, which can lead to more economic activity and reinvest using new skills, such as technical competency and engineering. Increased quality of life: Build the workforce to develop infrastructures and businesses that can help improve the city’s facilities and amenities, positively impacting health indicators.

Programming is every summer at The Beginning MKE.  Students from across the city, come to the community to learn about botany, agriculture, applied engineering sustainability, and project management to change the tide of food just in Milwaukee.  The produce the students grow helps their family and the community within the building.  Everyone deserves fresh produce and the option of a healthy lifestyle.

Group of people, including children and adults, sitting around tables with disposable food containers and red cups in a classroom or community room, with a woman speaking at the front and a projector screen.