wo Indigenous students from Mamawi Atosketan Native School (MANS) flew to Abu Dhabi to attend the January 13, 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize Award ceremonies and are bringing home the $150,000 USD prize in the ”Global High Schools — The Americas” category. MANS’ proposal for a student-led hydroponic farm project was chosen from more than 7,700 applications from 173 countries. MANS was the only North American finalist.

MANS’ “Growcer Farm Project” competed with two schools in South America for the category prize. The high school finalists are participating in four days of panels and activities along with finalists in other categories during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

The proposed hydroponic garden, which would be housed in a container, would diversify the school’s sustainable food production education. Two years ago, the K-12 school‘s traditional “dirt” garden expanded to include hydroponics in a classroom and was recognized by ATCO with a “greenUp Award” in March 2025.

The proposed year-round hydroponic garden could bring fresh produce to the school and the Maskwacis community while giving students hands-on experience in leadership, science, and environmental stewardship connected to food security and sustainability.

Published with permission from North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists news, January 21, 2026 by Lynn McDowell & Kim Harrington, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. View original story.