South Orangetown Middle School Technology Teacher Louis Chugranis has been awarded a $1,200 scholarship through Cornell University’s New York Agriculture in the Classroom program to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Portland, ME, June 26-29. At the conference, Mr. Chugranis will have the opportunity to meet with more than 400 teachers from across the country and learn about Maine’s food and farming culture. Workshop topics include Aeroponics, School Garden to Table, and AgBots: Kids Programming for the Future.
Mr. Chugranis began gardening with his family, as a child. “My grandparents grew their own food, and it helped them survive World War II,” he says. “Being able to grow some of your own food is better than not being able to grow any of it. Hopefully, this is an experience students will take home and experiment with.”
As a technology teacher, Mr. Chugranis sees an abundance of educational opportunities in the green space at SOMS. “The courtyard is a micropark. We’re growing apple trees, kale, mint, peppers, cherry tomatoes…it’s not only about creating awareness of what you eat and where it comes from, there are connections to environmental science, culinary arts and green design.”
Local farmers and farm-to-table chefs: Mr. Chugranis wants to hear from you! If you’d be interested in speaking with SOMS students about your experience, contact him at lchugranis@socsd.org.
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