Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Growing Beyond Earth® (GBE) is a federally-funded science program designed to advance NASA research on growing plants in space and to inspire the next generation of explorers. Established in 2015 as a partnership between Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and NASA Science Mission Directorate, GBE is now underway in 450 middle and high schools from 48 states nationwide and 10 countries. Each classroom receives a Fairchild-designed plant habitat analogous to the Vegetable Production System (Veggie) on the International Space Station (ISS). The Fairchild and NASA GBE team train teachers to conduct experiments with their students and share the data online with NASA. This work supports NASA’s ISS and Artemis programs by providing Level-1 and Level-2 readiness data on edible plants. If you are interested in participating, contact us at GBE@fairchildgarden.org.

Congratulations to all of the students and their teachers who participated in this year’s Growing Beyond Earth Student Research Symposium! Students from 75 schools from across the nation (and world) presented their original ISS-analogue space crop research in-person to a panel of judges from NASA Kennedy Space Center or virtually to two dozen university scientists. Experiments ranged from “Effect of Sargassum Extract Fertilizer on Growth of Chervil Vertissimo” to “Magnetoelectric Effect on Purple Magic Pac Choi.” Thank you to all involved for inspiring and encouraging the next generation of explorers!

Our local seed trial sub-project and 2023-2024 protocol trial continue in an isolated room at Turkey Karabük Science and Art Center. My student controls fast-growing Nasturtium Empress of India, Outredgeous lettuce and Hybrid Pac Choi species. NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

🚀 🌿 Amazing Space STEM project for Australian schools (in Victoria): Growing Beyond Earth® Program Check it out: EOI + flyer: https://lnkd.in/gnrJfJAv #Plants4Space (https://plants4space.com/) #Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria #Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden #nasa

A hard job that people think is easy: staying creative. As marketers and branders, we were drawn to this field for the chance to stretch our imaginations and create something new. But big ideas don't always come easily. So how do we stay creative? First, we don't panic. It happens to everyone. Second, we find our inspiration. When I need a jumpstart, I turn to the genius of Mother Nature. I find inspiration in the tapestry of trees, the power of wildlife, and the colors of a butterfly. So get out there! Creative inspiration is everywhere. (Photos from Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Highly recommend!) #Creativity #Inspiration #Branding

This week I saw firsthand how fellow botanical gardens are harnessing the power of plants to improve our world. 🍃 I was inspired by Montgomery Botanical Ceter’s work to conserve cycads and palms. A visit to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden did not disappoint. Students are helping to replant native orchids throughout Miami as part of The Million Orchid Project. And, Kampong National Tropical Botanical Garden shared their unbeatable views and a glimpse into plant collection and conservation history.

Over the last three weeks, I've had the privilege and joy to visit six botanical gardens, four for the first time. It is a gift to be continuously inspired by my colleagues and friends who are partners in the world of public gardens and arboreta. Each is doing essential work to connect people to trees and plants through science, conservation, education, and visitor experiences. Thank you to Naples Botanical Garden, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Brookgreen Gardens, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, The Kampong of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, and Montgomery Botanical Center for sharing your incredible gardens, passion, and expertise!