Educators Pick Gardyn as Best of STEM® 2026 Award Finalists

Gardyn for Schools recognized for innovation in AI-powered education and hands-on STEM learning; winners to be announced August 25.

BETHESDA, MD - August 11, 2026 - Gardyn for Schools has been named a finalist in two categories of the Educators Pick Best of STEM® 2026 Awards, earning recognition for both its AI Teaching Assistant, Kelby, and its indoor hydroponic growing system.

Gardyn was selected as a finalist for Educators Pick Best of AI for Kelby, Gardyn's AI-powered teaching assistant, and for Best of STEM: Hands-on Learning for Gardyn, the company's indoor vertical hydroponic garden designed to bring hands-on, cross-curricular learning into schools.

Unlike awards programs judged solely by industry experts, the Educators Pick Best of STEM Awards are evaluated by certified classroom teachers, STEM specialists and district leaders. Finalists are selected based on educators' assessments of the usefulness and impact of STEM products in real-world learning environments.

"We're incredibly proud to be recognized by the educators who are actually using and evaluating STEM solutions for today's classrooms," said Brad Peters at Gardyn for Schools. "Being named a finalist in both Best of AI and Hands-on Learning reflects what we believe makes Gardyn unique: we're combining emerging technology with tangible, real-world experiences that give students something meaningful to explore, measure, grow and learn from."

Educators Choose the Best of STEM

The Educators Pick Best of STEM Awards are operated in partnership with MCH Strategic Data, the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT).

The 2026 awards introduced a dedicated Best of AI category, recognizing the growing role of artificial intelligence in education and emphasizing the importance of safe and ethical implementation.

Lead judge Annie Galvin Teich noted that this year's judging process included a strong showing of hands-on learning products alongside the new AI category.

"Whether you're a classroom teacher looking for hands-on science kits, a CTE director building career and technical education pathways or a curriculum leader seeking professional development for STEM teachers, these are the solutions your peers have tested and loved," according to the Best of STEM Awards organizers.

Gardyn joins a select group of STEM education products named finalists across this year's categories. Winners will be announced August 25, 2026.

About Gardyn for Schools

Gardyn for Schools brings the power of a living learning environment into classrooms, schools and educational programs. Its indoor vertical hydroponic systems enable students to grow plants year-round while exploring STEM, sustainability, nutrition, data science and real-world problem-solving. Gardyn's AI-powered Kelby assistant helps educators manage their systems and supports learning around the garden, making it easier to bring hands-on, technology-enabled learning into everyday instruction.

To learn more about Gardyn for Schools, visit https://mygardyn.com/pages/school-gardens 

About the Educators Pick Best of STEM® Awards

The Educators Pick Best of STEM Awards recognize innovative products, technologies and services that are helping shape the future of STEM education. The awards are distinguished by their educator-led judging process, with certified classroom teachers, STEM specialists and district leaders evaluating products based on their usefulness and value in education.

The awards are operated in partnership with MCH Strategic Data, the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT).

To learn more about the Educators Pick Best of STEM Awards, visit www.bestofstemawards.com.