The Green Bronx and Stephen Ritz

Inspiration and Motivation

• Stephen Ritz was inspired to improve the area where his students live due to the harsh reality of their surroundings, which affected their well-being and academic performance.

Attendance Improvement

• The attendance in Stephen's classes increased from around 40% to 93% due to the introduction of green spaces and plants in the classroom.

Discovery of Plants

• Stephen Ritz hid a box of flower bulbs behind a radiator in his classroom, leading to a surprise discovery of growing plants, which sparked a new idea for his students.

Greening the Neighborhood

• The transformation of depressing spots into green areas where local people could meet was facilitated by green walls and plants introduced by Stephen Ritz and his students.

Edible Indoor Wall

• The implementation of an 'edible indoor wall' in the science room led to a successful harvest of fresh produce, engaging students in hands-on learning experiences.

Initial Response

• Stephen Ritz initially thought the box of flower bulbs was a mistake or a prank, but it eventually led to a groundbreaking project.

Student Responsibility

• The students' responsibility for the plants positively impacted their school attendance, as they felt invested in the well-being of the plants and the classroom environment.

Bringing Plants Back

• Bringing plants back into the classroom resulted in improved student engagement, attendance, and overall academic performance.

Community Improvement

• Stephen Ritz was motivated to work on a project to improve the area where his students live due to the negative impact of their surroundings on their academic and personal lives.
• Stephen Ritz and his class contributed to transforming depressing spots into green areas where local people could meet by introducing green spaces and plants in their community.