Every teacher has that year when nothing seems to click and classroom challenges feel bigger than solutions. For 5th grade teacher Amy Poland, that year turned into something unexpectedly wonderful with the Green Bronx Machine curriculum. What began as a leap of faith with tower gardens has since become an essential part of her classroom culture, from science projects to family-style harvest feasts. In this Teacher Pick, Amy shares how the Green Bronx Machine curriculum has transformed her teaching and her students’ learning.
How did you first hear about Green Bronx Machine?
I first heard about the Green Bronx Machine at the beginning of the 2018-19 school year. I was starting a new position at a newly reimagined STEM-based school, and I decided to jump into the tower garden experience with both feet.Â
What made you want to try it in your classroom?
When I discovered Green Bronx and the tower garden curriculum that year, I was starting my 18th year as an educator. I was struggling in a way that I had never struggled before. I was truly willing to try anything. The Green Bronx Machine simply happened to be what landed in my lap that year. I had no idea just how transformative this blind leap was going to be, but I was going to give it my best effort. Now, I could never go back to a classroom without the plants, the trickling water, the fresh smells, and our celebration salad feasts. The plants, water, lights, smells, and harvest feasts are now part of what my classroom is—and what it stands for.
What was your first impression when you received the materials?
After I made the commitment to the Green Bronx program and received the materials, I remember feeling overwhelmed. I knew that I was already having a couple of personal struggles and there was really no reason to add to my to-do list. If I hadn’t been so desperate for solutions, I may never have discovered one of my most impactful and versatile classroom resources. Without that desperate year, I might never have found what has become one of my favorite and most versatile classroom resources.
How did your students react when you introduced Green Bronx Machine?
When I first introduced the Green Bronx curriculum to my class that 2018 school year, my students were hesitant. The program wasn’t like anything any of us had previously done in a classroom, beyond smaller science projects. I also didn’t feel like I, as the teacher, had adequate knowledge to properly lead instruction. I think we were all a bit hesitant. However, I also remember magic happening that year.
It’s almost difficult to explain. It became something on its own while we learned together. The students started showing care and empathy, not only to their plants but with each other. The towers and plants gave everyone something specific to care for, and they really took the role seriously. It brought them together in a way that I was struggling to do. It was one of the first times nearly everyone was fully interested and invested. That hook carried us through the rest of the year. For the first time, almost everyone was engaged and working toward a common goal. That momentum carried our learning through the year.
As years go by and more grade levels have begun using the curriculum, students are now walking in with solid prior knowledge and ideas for new growing cycles. It’s amazing to watch the students take the lead over their learning.
What’s your favorite part about using Green Bronx Machine in your classroom?
My favorite part about using Green Bronx in my classroom is how versatile and immersive it is. While there is a full year’s worth of quality, pre-written lessons readily available, I use different lessons and variations of lessons each year. The provided lessons are easy to level up or down as needed and are very high interest to students.
It also reaches students using all five senses. The water, lights, textures, smells, and harvest tastings make the process immersive for every student. From trickling water to harvest-day tastes, every sense is engaged, making the experience uniquely immersive for students. Bringing all of the learning and hard work together with a group harvest feast becomes the showcase of learning and celebration of collaborative efforts.
Can you share a specific moment or story where you saw it really click with students?
I have a lot of favorite moments using Green Bronx in my classroom. One of my absolute favorites will always be the year we first started creating vegetable rap song videos. My students were allowed to use any of the learning material from the entire year to write, sing, perform, edit, and present. The videos ALWAYS turn out far better than I could ever expect, and the peer reactions are always the greatest. There is truly not a better moment for a teacher than watching a student who struggles to maintain classroom behavior excel at rapping with his friends about eating vegetables and being healthy. It fills my heart every time.
How does Green Bronx Machine support what you’re already teaching?
One of the great things about Green Bronx Machine is how it supports each class as needed. Not only does the provided curriculum cover every subject at every grade level, but it is easily modified or adjusted based on specific needs. In our class, we utilize our tower garden for two full growing cycles throughout the year. During English Language Arts time, we write friendly letters to our plants, complete seed and plant research projects, and write detailed notes or descriptive observations on a weekly growth journal. We have also made group vegetable song/rap/poem videos and informational posters.
In math, we calculate water being added, measure and add nutrients as needed, observe and chart pH levels, and chart weekly plant growth. Then for science, we cover areas like leaf stomata respiration, photosynthesis, living things, ecosystems, and the design process.
How do you fit the curriculum into your daily or weekly schedule?
The Green Bronx Machine truly fits in whenever and wherever I want it to. Since it is a living, respirating, biotic organism that’s always present in our classroom, it is available and ready when the time allows or a student needs it. I have used it to help with students who were feeling active, finished early, or even simply needed a break. The system is overall very classroom-friendly and meaningful for student engagement.
What advice would you give to another teacher who’s thinking about trying Green Bronx Machine?
The loudest advice I would give to a teacher looking to bring Green Bronx Machine into their classroom is to GO FOR IT! If you think it might be right for your room, it is! It may feel overwhelming at first, but start small and stick with it. I promise, it is completely worth the payout of watching your students authentically interact and grow.
How has this experience changed the way your students think about food, plants, or the environment?
Having the towers in our classroom has changed our conversations daily. Students now ask to take seeds home. Yes, they ask for homework! They talk about plants that their families are growing. They notice plants on their walk to school and want to tell you all about them. They brag about plants they have growing at home and foods they have tried. Students proudly share food that is unique to their family and their culture through conversation and planning for the harvest feasts. I see a much wider range of students willing to try new vegetables and fruits when we have access to them in the classroom. Green Bronx Machine has created so many positive influences and impacts on our classroom, and I continue to see new positive values regularly.
The most powerful impact I have witnessed has been the increase of student buy-in. Authentic student buy-in with ownership and commitment to the collaborative nature of the process has become a very powerful motivator within our classroom.
What do you love most about this program or curriculum?Â
I especially love the completely unexpected learning opportunities that the towers bring to the classroom. Talking about pollination as the buds emerge, the feel of different plant stem textures throughout the growing cycle, identifying plant smells, trimming to make plants grow stronger … the discussion starters are endless and sometimes completely unexpected.
Upgraded for 2025 and Beyond
The Green Bronx Machine curriculum has been fully upgraded for 2025, making it the most comprehensive version yet. The new edition features 100% e-reader capability, more than 200 pages of additional content, 300+ new links, weekly video alignment, appendices, vocabulary and glossary sections, and a free digital platform for teachers and students to share and store their work. It is now fully aligned not only with NGSS, Common Core, CASEL, UN SDGs, and International Baccalaureate standards, but also with the new Florida State academic standards benchmarks and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills mandates.
Watch Amy’s video review of the Green Bronx Machine program below.
Learn more at the Green Bronx website. Plus, read this We Are Teachers article about how a tower garden can make a big difference in your classroom.
Teacher Picks is a sponsored program available from We Are Teachers. All opinions shared in the review are honest and based on the teacher’s direct experience. To learn more about our guidelines and review process, click here.
