GCSP Vertical Farm Project
GCSP Vertical Farm Project Team
Fall 2025 to Spring 2026
Attention students: are you interested in putting your engineering skills to use to both support k-12 STEM education and combat food insecurity? If the answer is yes, then we may have the right opportunity for you!
The non-profit organization, Food for Thought Foundation, is looking for Viterbi students to help develop/redesign a prototype for a vertical farm. When implemented, this vertical farm will be a tool to teach students hands on lessons in computer science, biology, and agriculture. As a viable device, this vertical farm will grow food that can be eaten and possibly help supplement food insecure environments.
We are looking for five to 10 students to be involved with this project for about one year.
Phases of the Project
The Vertical Farm Project will be split into four phases of development in which our students can be involved
- Phase 1- Building: assembling the current version of the prototype to examine current functionality and flaws. Students will redesign and rebuild components of the prototype as necessary, including coding and electrical components.
- Phase 2- Testing: testing the viability of the prototype including functionality, soil and water contamination, and growth feasibility (what types of plants and how successfully)
- Phase 3- Curriculum: development of curriculum on how to use and maintain the vertical in a classroom setting, as well as lessons built around use of the vertical farm.
- Phase 4- Mass Production: examining best practices and viability of mass producing the vertical farm for a larger market.
Commitment
- Group Leaders: 10 hours/week.
- All team members: Consistent participation throughout phases of design, build, and testing.
Teams and Skills
Teams
- Group 1: Structural + Materials
- Structural: Mechanical engineers, industrial/systems engineers, civil engineers; experience with CAD (Onshape or Fusion 360).
- Materials: Chemical engineers, materials scientists; experience with biodesign.
- Group 2: Software + Electrical
- Software: Computer scientists, systems engineers; experience with Arduino and/or Raspberry Pi, object-oriented programming.
- Electrical: Electrical engineers, computer engineers, industrial/systems engineers; experience with Eagle, Fritzing, PCB fabrication.
General Tools & Experience
- CAD (Onshape or Fusion 360)
- Arduino / Raspberry Pi
- Eagle / Fritzing
- PCB fabrication