Education

As an organization dedicated to empowering people, education is a critical component of that mission. Levo works with people from all backgrounds, ages, and abilities to provide them with the tools they need to grow in knowledge, confidence and ability and to inspire them to strengthen the world around them.

Levo partners with schools to deliver or co-create innovative and effective educational experiences that emphasize experiential learning. Using basic materials, Levo facilitates the learning of complex conceptual skills and systems knowledge while also building social skills such as effective communication and team-building.

In addition, Levo sends speakers to schools to instruct on a variety of topics related to food insecurity and economics, environmental sustainability and systems integration and management. We also offer service-learning opportunities at our site in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. Below are some of the many programs we have run with community partners.

 

Groton Public Schools:

Levo has been working with the Groton Public Schools Food Service Department since 2022. We have installed hydroponics throughout their schools and supported their educational programming. In the cafeteria of Fitch High School, Levo installed indoor growing systems which today provide a “Farm to Table” experience for the students, as well as offering a way for AP Bio students to run year-round botanical experimentation. In 2025, Levo designed and created a Container Farm inside a repurposed shipping container, capable of growing over 2000 heads of lettuce at a time.

 

CREC Impact Academy: 

CREC Impact Academy exists to re-engage students who have lost their desire for education. Levo’s approach fits well into CREC’s 6-week module model. Levo’s focus on hands-on learning has allowed students to design and build hydroponic systems in their community, on the rooftop of Hartford Hospital, in vacant City lots, and in their classrooms. Students leave classes with Levo having gained real skills, some of which are as simple as how to use a drill. Levo actively recruits students from these classes and has hired several students since beginning with Impact in 2023.

 

ACES/Regions:  

Based on Levo’s success with Impact Academy, ACES and Levo have launched a series of hydroponic modules designed to teach students hard skills, particularly in the areas of construction, hydroponic maintenance, and workforce readiness. This program reaches students in the criminal justice system in Plainville, Hamden and Hartford, with future job placement available for those who show skill and initiative around Levo’s work and mission.

Maria Sanchez Elementary

Levo offers twice-weekly after-school Environmental Science curriculum for 4th and 5th graders at Maria Sanchez Elementary.

Horizons/Ethel Walker

Levo welcomed Horizons students to our Farm for a field trip and brought tool familiarization and basic hydroponic growing classes to their program at Ethel Walker.

Classical Magnet

Levo provides projects for Classical Magnet’s shop team that have real world application and that positively impact the Hartford Community.

 

Other School Partners who have utilized Levo’s expertise to bring hydroponic systems to their schools and supply experiential curriculum focused on design, construction and maintenance include:

  • Academy of International Studies

  • Avon Old Farms School

  • Enfield Montessori and Chiaravalle Academy

  • Fairfield College Preparatory School

  • Kingswood Oxford School

  • Northwest Catholic High School

  • Levo has also worked internationally with schools in Mexico, Haiti and Kenya.

Levo’s Educational Programming is informed by a Research and Development team in conjunction with a robust international network of partners including the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Ohio State University, The University of Connecticut, Cornell University, and the Earth & Life Institute in Belgium.