Building for Innovation: The Avery Coonley School

#1: Start with a Strong Vision: Dream Big for Your Gardyn

The foundation of any successful school Gardyn lies in a clear and compelling vision. As Kenny put it, “You gotta have a strong vision in terms of what is kind of your end goal, and I like to dream big with our students.”

Big dreams rally support, inspire students, and set long-term goals—like aiming for recognition as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School. Whether your focus is environmental education, student wellness, or STEM, align your vision with your school’s mission.

#2: Use AI to Your Advantage

Funding is often the biggest hurdle—but also one of the most solvable. As Kenny shared, “We had to look at any grants that are out there, any funding programs that offer unique projects such as this.”

Start by exploring grant databases and using tools like ChatGPT to uncover local, state, or national opportunities. Ask, “What grants are available for school Gardyn projects in (your state)?” You might be surprised by what you find. (For expert AI prompt tips, check out the drafts further in this guidebook!)

In Avery Coonley’s case, the Whole Kids Foundation and Illinois Green Alliance were key to launching their program.

Bonus tip: involve students in grant writing to build ownership, research, and writing skills.

#3 Empower Students: Make the Gardyn Theirs

Giving students ownership builds engagement and leadership. Kenny emphasized, “Our kids can do so much and step up to really challenging situations if you provide the resources and mentorship.”

Assign roles like watering, pruning, or data tracking based on interests, and connect Gardyn to subjects like science, math, and environmental studies. When students see the Gardyn as theirs, they show up, step up, and grow along with the plants. This student development is also a fantastic resource when applying to further awards or grants.

#4 Spark Innovation: Let Student Ideas Drive the Study

At Avery Coonley, students didn’t just maintain the Gardyn—they launched entire projects from it.

“Our kids wanted a smoothie program, so they ran with that,” Kenny shared. The initiative led to national recognition. Another project included using AI-powered assistant Kelby to monitor plant health—blending tech and agriculture in a way that felt fresh, fun, and futuristic. The takeaway? Let student ideas lead. Innovation often starts with letting them dream and test bold ideas.

#5 Measure the Impact: Celebrate the Small Wins

Tracking your Gardyn’s impact helps justify funding and keeps the momentum going. Use photos, videos, surveys, and testimonials to document growth—not just of plants, but of student learning and moments of excitement.

“Celebrate your small wins,” Kenny advised. Every harvest, lesson, or event builds momentum, keeps students motivated, and showcases the Gardyn’s value to your school community.

Grow Over Time: Sustain and Expand

Your first Gardyn is just the beginning. Avery Coonley started with one Gardyn. Today, they have five—all funded through grants, competitions, and partnerships.

Invite the community in. Parents, local businesses, and organizations can become volunteers, sponsors, or guest educators. Keep exploring new tech, new curriculum tie-ins, and new student-led ideas. That culture of innovation is what will sustain your program for years to come.

By following these expert strategies, you can turn a simple school Gardyn into a thriving educational ecosystem—one that empowers students, strengthens your community, and grows lasting impact.

To watch the full webinar, click here. To learn more about Gardyn for Schools, check out our webpage here.