“It’s hard to believe we have sold over $1,000 in plants this year,” said Clover as she picks a pot off the shelf to fulfill an order on the online website. Clover is a 7th grader at Riverview Jr./Sr. High school and is one of four students who have created a business called “Made to Learn.”
“Made to Learn” was started at the beginning of this school year and was funded with seed money from EdCorps. With that support, students grew plants, bought pots, made a business plan, and created a website. They have sold in the community at the Verona Farmer’s Market and Oakmont events like Fallfest and Light-Up Night.
Students sell various succulents, cactuses, and exotic air plants in unique pots, all of them hand planted. The goal of the students is to make money and reinvest that money in new educational opportunities. Students are thinking about purchasing a 3D printer, an embroidery machine, and hopefully even a laser engraver.
“It is wonderful to see the students work together in this project. Seeing them learn, make budget decisions, collaborate on business plans, and shape their own learning based on their interests makes my job as a teacher very rewarding,” Mr. MacConnell, teacher and mentor of the students, said.
Caden Smith, a 9th grader at the high school and business partner stated, “I am excited to process orders online for customers. I get even more excited when items sell out online.” They are currently taking orders for the holiday season.
Right now, the business is “pick-up” at the high school only. However, if parents in the district would like to purchase plants as gifts for teachers, delivery will be included and handled by the students. Visit www.madetolearn.net to order. 100% of the sales benefit the students’ ideas of business growth and their future extracurricular learning activities.