Explorer Community School in Redmond is one of five Puget Sound area winners of the “Kids Are Growing” competition, sponsored by the International Greenhouse Company (IGC), the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC), KING 5 TV and PCC Natural Markets.

Explorer, a Lake Washington School District “Choice” school on the campus of Emily Dickinson Elementary, won a six-by-eight-foot greenhouse and $1,500 in grants to enhance its community garden.

Established three years ago, the garden provides hands-on learning linked to science, sustainability and other curriculum. Explorer students and their parents work together to plant, harvest and prepare or cook the resulting fruits and vegetables.

To enter the Kids Are Growing contest, applicants had to describe how winning the greenhouse would benefit their school. Contestants also had to submit an original, healthy potato recipe.

Susan Cole O’ Malley, head teacher at Explorer explained, “Our idea for the greenhouse was to propagate native plants, start seedlings, hothouse varies like pears or tomatoes, and do several kinds of science/math activities.”

That includes comparative studies of hydroponic and organic plants.

The greenhouse will add more educational space outside of Explorer’s portable classrooms and will lengthen the growing season — and in time, the school might participate in more community activities such as the Redmond Saturday Market.

Explorer’s healthy recipe submission was an oven-baked potato alternative to french fries.

Explorer is also committed to donating much-needed, fresh produce to Hopelink’s food bank.

“I am not sure of the poundage, but we made eight trips to the food bank last year,” said O’ Malley. “When asked for the dollar amount on the blue slip, they mark ‘priceless’ for us! Our hope is that we can increase our yield by using the greenhouse, by also growing potatoes. A potato grower from Lynden, Washington is coming to visit our school this spring.”

Kathleen Miller, a parent volunteer who has worked in Explorer’s community garden, said an added excitement factor was the fact that first lady Michelle Obama has established a garden at the White House.

And involving students from nearby Evergreen Junior High School and the Redmond/Sammamish Boys and Girls Club will give the project an even bigger influence on local youth.

For more information about Explorer Community School, visit www.lwsd.org/school/explorer.