Bringing the natural world into the classroom has always been a challenge for urban schools and districts without outdoor gardens. Yet in a world where STEM education, sustainability, and hands-on learning are more important than ever, solutions are emerging that bridge the gap between technology and nature. One of the most promising? Gardyn, an AI-powered indoor hydroponic garden system.

Originally designed for homes and families, Gardyn has quickly proven to be a valuable tool for schools. Its compact design, easy setup, and AI-driven plant care assistant make it a practical, engaging, and educational way to teach students about science, technology, and food systems — all inside the classroom.

What is Gardyn?

Gardyn Studio www.gearbrain.com

• Gardyn Home ($899) – Grows up to 30 plants at once, with a yield of up to 10 lbs of produce per month.
• Gardyn Studio ($499) – A smaller version designed for tight spaces, growing 16 plants at once with up to 5 lbs of monthly harvest.

Both versions use a vertical tower design that takes up less than 2 square feet of space. Built-in LED grow lights ensure plants thrive indoors, and the system connects to an app for monitoring and guidance.

Gardyn Studio Vertical Hydroponics Growing System Kit - 16 Non-GMO Plants, Herbs, Vegetables - Tower Garden - Hydroponic Herb Garden Planter Indoor Kit - Indoor Gardening System with LED Grow Lights

List Price: $499.00

New From: $499.00 in Stock

AI in the Classroom: Meet Kelby

What makes Gardyn unique — and especially valuable for schools — is its AI assistant, Kelby.

Kelby works with built-in sensors and cameras to monitor plants 24/7. Through the Gardyn app, Kelby provides real-time feedback, alerts, and step-by-step guidance for caring for plants. For students, this turns gardening into an interactive, tech-enabled learning experience.

Teachers can use Kelby’s feedback as a teaching tool:

• Biology lessons – Students can see how plants respond to pruning, water changes, or repositioning.
• Technology integration – Kelby demonstrates how AI can be applied to real-world challenges like food production.
• Responsibility & observation – Students can log Kelby’s alerts and compare them to what they see in the garden.

For classes without a resident “green thumb,” Kelby acts as a virtual teacher’s aide — ensuring plants stay healthy and projects stay on track.

Kelby is AI Assistant to help you grow your plants www.gearbrain.com

STEM Applications

Gardyn supports a wide range of STEM learning opportunities across grade levels. Here are just a few examples:

1. Science & Biology
   • Explore plant growth cycles, photosynthesis, and ecosystems.
   • Compare hydroponics to traditional soil-based gardening.
   • Study the role of light, water, and nutrients in plant health.
2. Technology & AI
   • Analyze how sensors and machine learning support plant care.
   • Discuss real-world applications of AI in agriculture and food sustainability.
3. Engineering & Design
   • Investigate the structure of the Gardyn tower and why vertical farming works in small spaces.
   • Design experiments with pod placement to see how it affects growth.
4. Mathematics & Data Analysis
   • Track plant growth rates, harvest weights, and light exposure.
   • Graph water usage to see efficiency compared to outdoor gardening.

Real-World Skills & Sustainability

Real-World Skills & SustainabilityGearBrain

Beyond classroom experiments, Gardyn introduces students to real-world issues like:

• Sustainability – Hydroponics uses 95% less water than traditional gardening.
• Food systems – Students learn where food comes from and how technology can reduce reliance on supply chains.
• Healthy living – Fresh greens and herbs harvested in class can encourage better nutrition and cooking habits at home.

For urban schools, especially those without access to outdoor gardens, Gardyn can make farm-to-table concepts tangible. Students get to grow, harvest, and taste their work, reinforcing lessons in both science and health.

Practical Considerations for Schools

Size & Placement

• Gardyn Studio (1.4 square feet) is ideal for classrooms with limited space.
• The LED lights are very bright, so teachers should plan placement where it won’t disrupt nearby activities.

Costs

• Hardware costs start at $499, with a membership program ($39/month) that unlocks Kelby’s full features and provides 10 free plant “yCubes” each month.
• Schools may be able to use STEM grants, PTA funds, or sustainability program budgets to offset costs.

Grow Cubes for Hydroponic System/Compatible with Gardyn (15 Grow Cubes)

List Price: $39.99

New From: $39.99 in Stock

Challenges

Need to keep pods clean of bugs and insects.GearBrain

Like any gardening system, Gardyn comes with challenges. Teachers should be aware of:

• App requirements – The app requires iOS 18 or higher on Apple devices.
• Pests – Indoor hydroponic gardens can experience bugs such as aphids or spider mites. Gardyn provides resources and support for treatment, but it may require class involvement.
• Maintenance – Students can be assigned to rotate responsibilities (refilling the water tank, pruning plants, checking Kelby’s alerts), which can actually enhance the learning experience.

Why Schools Should Consider Gardyn

Gardyn is more than just a gardening tool — it’s a STEM teaching platform. It bridges the gap between digital learning and hands-on experiences, giving students the chance to:

• Experiment like scientists.
• Think critically like engineers.
• Use data like mathematicians.
• Reflect on sustainability like global citizens.

In an age where many students are glued to screens, Gardyn brings nature, responsibility, and discovery into the classroom.

Conclusion

For schools looking to enrich their STEM curriculum, teach sustainability, and create hands-on projects, Gardyn offers a unique solution. It’s compact, AI-powered, and designed to make gardening accessible even in the middle of a city classroom.

Whether it’s a single unit in a science lab or multiple towers across a district, Gardyn has the potential to transform how students learn about food, biology, and technology.

Final Thought: With Gardyn, classrooms don’t just teach science — they grow it.

You can read our full review of Gardyn Studio here. Also, remember to check out our compatibility find engine. It makes it easy to find any smart or connected device for your smart home and helps you find compatible connected devices that work with your existing devices or Google Home or Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.

Like GearBrain's content? Be sure to follow us.

- YouTube Thinking of growing your own food indoors—even if you don't have a green thumb? In this video, we review the Gardyn Studio, ...