Hortiki Plants Founder Dr. Victoria LeBeaux Featured on Great Day Washington to Highlight Gardening as a STEM Learning Tool
Washington, DC — September 16, 2025 — Back-to-school isn’t just about pencils and laptops — it’s can also be about nature. On September 11, 2025, Dr. Victoria LeBeaux, founder of Hortiki Plants, joined WUSA9’s Great Day Washington to share how gardening can help children build hands-on skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
In the live in-studio segment, Dr. LeBeaux introduced Hortiki’s STEM.org authenticated gardening kits, which are designed for children ages 6–11.
She demonstrated how gardening goes beyond growing plants to reinforce literacy, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The kits align with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, making them accessible tools for both parents and educators — even those without a science or gardening background.
“Fall and winter is the exact time that parents need to be more intentional about connecting their kids with plants and nature” said Dr. LeBeaux. "Having green time instead of screen time is so much healthier, with studies showing it can enhance kids physiological and mental health."
The segment also emphasized why fall is an ideal season for children to begin gardening. Cool-season vegetables like broccoli, peas, and carrots are perfect to plant in September, and gardening activities help counterbalance the increased screen time that often comes with the school year.
In addition to STEM, Hortiki Plants integrates reading and inquiry-based learning into its products, offering free monthly activity guides and customizable kits for educational programs. Each kit includes everything kids need to start gardening immediately — from biodegradable containers to science activity cards — while encouraging families to connect with nature together.
The appearance marks another milestone for Hortiki Plants, a Washington, DC-based, certified woman-owned and Black-owned business that launched in 2017. The company has been featured by Good Morning America, Oprah Daily, Marie Claire, and Good Housekeeping, and continues to grow as a leader in sustainable education and children’s enrichment.
The full segment can be viewed here:
About Hortiki Plants
Hortiki Plants provides eco-friendly gardening kits that make STEM learning easy and fun for children and families. All products are STEM.org authenticated, sustainable, and designed with inquiry-based learning methods to foster creativity, critical thinking, and environmental awareness.
