The Learning Center, operated in Coatesville by the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), made a spectacular showing at the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show, where students not only participated but also excelled, taking home a prestigious blue ribbon in their category.
This year's show, held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, saw the Learning Center's horticulture program students transition from assistants to creators. Longwood Gardens Scholarship recipients Ross and Trevor led a group of students in designing and executing their own "Gardens of the Future" display—an innovative window box and hanging basket installation that captivated thousands of visitors.
Developed over two months under the guidance of horticulture teacher Mike Walls, the student project stood out for its distinctive blue theme and strategic selection of climate-adaptable plants. The display showcased resilient botanical specimens, including succulents, jade, aloe ferax, and stone crop, each selected to demonstrate the plants' ability to thrive in changing environmental conditions.
"What made our students' work particularly noteworthy was their pioneering integration of technology in the design process," said Hillary Soring, Learning Center Principal. "By utilizing artificial intelligence in their designs, they showcased the potential of digital tools in horticultural design and demonstrated how the Learning Center prepares students with innovative skills for careers in a technology-driven future."
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