Students at the Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB) are putting science into practice in a new greenhouse designed to support accessible, hands-on learning, independence and career exploration.
(LOUISVILLE, KY) – Students at the Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB) are putting science into practice in a new greenhouse designed to support accessible, hands-on learning, independence and career exploration.
The greenhouse, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 7, offers middle and high school students opportunities to study plant growth and sustainability while developing skills they can use at school, at home and potentially in future employment.
For SaNasia Hall, a KSB sophomore in the first greenhouse class, that means learning by doing. Students have studied roots, plant structures, flowers, pollination and plant spacing, and are now exploring soil and watering practices.
“I like getting really physical with it and using my hands to feel the plants,” Hall said. “… I’m excited about the new facility and to be in the first class to be a part of this.”
Laura Parker, KSB science teacher who leads the class, said the experience connects classroom science with practical skills and possible career paths.
“We’re teaching independence, supporting the science they’ve already learned of roots and stems, and they’re getting to experience their hands in the dirt and growing things,” Parker said. “We’re hoping they will gain experience for their careers.”
Accessibility was considered throughout the greenhouse design. The structure includes wide walkways, a tactile map, braille plant signage and three large tables for student projects. Drainage is positioned along the sides of the greenhouse to help keep walking paths clear.
“They also used a special texture of concrete so it wouldn’t be too rough to catch dirt, but it wouldn’t be too smooth that students would slip, but also just be the right texture for canes so that they could navigate where they are,” Parker said.
Students have already grown pumpkins, potatoes, tomatoes, and spider plants. Another KSB sophomore, Hailey Hitner, said she enjoys observing how plants change through touch.
“I like watching the plants grow and touching them as they grow, and feel their leaves change shape and their roots,” Hitner said. “Obviously sometimes when you’re blind, you can’t really see, so you have to use your hands to touch it and see what you feel.”
The new greenhouse at Kentucky School for the Blind has grown pumpkins, potatoes, tomatoes, spider plants and other plants. Photo by Fiona Morgan, Kentucky Department of Education, Oct. 7, 2026
Originally envisioned by the Louisville Downtown Lions Club, the greenhouse project was made possible through the generous support of the club, the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation (KSBCF) and the Kentucky Department of Education. Additional support from Kosair for Kids, the William M. Wood Foundation and the Snowy Owl Foundation helped bring the project to life, creating meaningful opportunities for KSB students to learn and grow.
Peggy Sinclair-Morris, KSB principal, recognized the commitment of Parker, the donors and John Aaron, the former KSB facilities manager who helped advance the project.
“I really appreciate the hard work and perseverance of Ms. Parker and the donors for seeing this through,” Sinclair-Morris said. “I also want to acknowledge John Aaron who passed away in March and remember how hard he worked for this project as well.”
For Parker, the greenhouse’s value extends beyond any one course or career path. It gives students direct experience with an activity they may pursue independently for years to come.
“In the world of blind and low vision, growing things is not an incidental task, they don’t just watch their grandma, or somebody gardening and then know how to do it,” Parker said. “So, the beautiful thing about this greenhouse is that it gives them a chance to experience growing things, it can end up being a recreational or leisure activity, even if they don’t choose to be a botanist or to go into greenhouse work.”
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