Pilot & Progress
Testing, Learning, and Scaling in Real Schools
Grow to Know is currently piloting hydroponic systems in school settings to validate system design, curriculum, and student engagement. These pilots allow us to test our phased model in real classrooms while collecting data to inform future expansion.
Current School Pilot: Princeton & Lawrenceville, Nj
Pilot Focus:
Introductory hydroponics kits and early-stage system testing in school environments.
Grow to Know is conducting a combined pilot across schools in Princeton and Lawrenceville, working with students to build, operate, and evaluate low-cost hydroponic systems designed for classrooms and clubs.
What’s happening across both sites:
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Students will assemble portable, low-cost hydroponic kits
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Hands-on learning connected to:
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Plant biology
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Chemistry (nutrients, pH)
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Engineering and system design
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Measurement and data collection including:
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Water pH
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Nutrient concentration (EC)
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Light exposure
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Plant growth rate and yield
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Cultivation of leafy greens and herbs with short growth cycles
Why this pilot matters:
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Tests Grow to Know systems in different school environments
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Identifies design improvements for durability, cost, and ease of use
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Builds student confidence and ownership through hands-on STEM learning
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Demonstrates that hydroponics can function as both an educational tool and a food-producing system
Community-based Pilot: Littlebrook Vertical Farm
Littlebrook Vertical Farm – Princeton, NJ
In partnership with Send Hunger Packing Princeton (SHUPP)
Grow to Know collaborates with SHUPP at the Littlebrook Vertical Farm, a school-based vertical hydroponics installation that demonstrates the next stage of scalable food production.
