Garfield Students Help Heights Company Design Greenhouse and Terrace: Whiz Kids

Way back in February, Rhodia Silica Systems, 1020 State St., formed a partnership with Chicago Heights School District 170, in which the fourth to eighth grade students from would design a indoor greenhouse and outside terrace for the company to build.

The fourth to sixth graders were to think up the terrace while the seventh and eighth graders were tasked with envisioning a greenhouse.

"The students will be researching solar and wind energy, native birds and plants, and architectural design," District 170 chief information officer Edward Mrosek initially said, on a blog tracking the students' progress.

After three and a half months their work is complete, and the students presented their ideas to Rhodia, May 27 and May 31.

Click on the above photo to see a gallery of the students' journey.

Garfield resource teacher Kathleen Evans said the project was great for the students thanks to a lot of support from Rhodia.

"Rhodia has been overwhelmingly generous," Evans said. "They have supplied the students with learning tools such as: solar science fair kits, wind science fair kits, bird houses, bat houses, butterfly houses and the paints and supplies to decorate them."

But that's not all the Heights-based company did for the students.

"They have also funded a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry and a field trip to the Bird Haven Greenhouse in Joliet," Evans added. "They have given the students binders and poster boards to help with their ending presentations."

Give the fourth through eighth grade classes at Garfield a big congratulations for completing such a huge project. We can't wait to see what the Rhodia does with their ideas!

Got a Whiz Kid/Kids/Club? send an email to christopher.paicely@patch.com!