Uploaded June 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
In Fort McMurray, year-round gardening just isn’t a reality. That’s what makes Ecole McTavish School and its solar Greenhouse and Community Garden project special. Thanks to the work of grade 7-12 student members, teachers and volunteers, tender vegetables and flowers can be planted inside in any season, whatever the weather, in an in-class greenhouse fitted with four roof-top solar panels.
In Spring, when weather allows, seedlings can be transplanted into one of four large outdoor box-shaped community gardens. As plants grow through Summer, volunteer families take on the job of weeding and watering the lettuce, potatoes, zucchini, radishes, peas and beans, plus marigolds and gladiolas (which help keep bugs away from certain plants). Starting vegetables early in the season indoors allows students to host a mini farmers market before school breaks, with proceeds going back into the project and leftover produce donated to local food programs.
While the solar panels help offset power costs and utilize renewable energy to grow greenhouse plants, they’re also the focus of an added lesson for science students by being broadcast on the school’s wifi—showing real time electrical input and output throughout the year.
Energy Efficiency Alberta says the LEAP Solar Greenhouse and Community Garden is a project that integrates energy awareness and sustainable gardening practices, with an appreciation for natural resources and tech-enabled solutions.
In Fort McMurray, year-round gardening just isn’t a reality. That’s what makes Ecole McTavish School and its solar Greenhouse and Community Garden project special. Thanks to the work of grade 7-12 student members, teachers and volunteers, tender vegetables and flowers can be planted inside in any season, whatever the weather, in an in-class greenhouse fitted with four roof-top solar panels.
In Spring, when weather allows, seedlings can be transplanted into one of four large outdoor box-shaped community gardens. As plants grow through Summer, volunteer families take on the job of weeding and watering the lettuce, potatoes, zucchini, radishes, peas and beans, plus marigolds and gladiolas (which help keep bugs away from certain plants). Starting vegetables early in the season indoors allows students to host a mini farmers market before school breaks, with proceeds going back into the project and leftover produce donated to local food programs.
While the solar panels help offset power costs and utilize renewable energy to grow greenhouse plants, they’re also the focus of an added lesson for science students by being broadcast on the school’s wifi—showing real time electrical input and output throughout the year.
Energy Efficiency Alberta says the LEAP Solar Greenhouse and Community Garden is a project that integrates energy awareness and sustainable gardening practices, with an appreciation for natural resources and tech-enabled solutions.
