Digital Innovation KKN ABMAS Team from ITS Presents Smart Vertical Garden for Eco-School Program

Image: Students from the Digital Innovation Study Program, together with the partner school SDIT Al Uswah Surabaya during the implementation of the IoT-based Smart Vertical Garden.

Surabaya, ELECTICS ITS – The KKN ABMAS team from the Digital Innovation Study Program, Department of Information Systems, ELECTICS ITS has successfully introduced an innovative green technology solution at SDIT Al Uswah Surabaya. Under the supervision of Dr. Feby Artwodini Muqtadiroh, S.Kom., M.T., the students implemented an IoT-based Smart Vertical Garden an automated vertical garden system with real-time monitoring through a dedicated application.

The idea for the Smart Vertical Garden emerged from SDIT Al Uswah’s need for a more efficient and sustainable greening system. As a school promoting the Eco-School concept, they required a solution that not only enhanced the environment but was also easy to maintain and could serve as a learning medium for students.

“We wanted to present a solution that can be used daily and help students get familiar with digital technologies closely related to their lives,” said Aldiez Rizkia Centrinova, Student Coordinator of the KKN team.

The Smart Vertical Garden uses sensors to detect the plants’ watering needs automatically. Sensor data is processed through the IoT system, which then adjusts the watering schedule and duration without human intervention. The entire process can be monitored via a mobile application, allowing teachers and students to check the plants’ condition in real time.

This technology not only conserves water but also serves as an interactive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) learning tool. Students can learn about sensors, data processing, and automated systems knowledge that is highly relevant in today’s digital era.

Dr. Feby, as the supervising lecturer, guided the team from conceptual design and technical evaluation to communication with the school. “This IoT-based Smart Vertical Garden program not only provides a solution for managing the school’s environment but also offers a STEM-based learning experience for students. We want the children to not only care for the plants but also understand how technology supports sustainability,” she explained.

The implementation process came with challenges. The team encountered technical issues when integrating sensors with the school’s network. Unstable connectivity initially hindered system testing. However, through close coordination with the school and on-site sensor recalibration, the team successfully ensured optimal system performance.

Image: The IoT-based Smart Vertical Garden implemented by the Digital Innovation students of ITS at SDIT Al Uswah Surabaya.

The response from SDIT Al Uswah was very positive. Students were enthusiastic about trying the automatic watering system and were eager to learn how it worked. Teachers also noted that the solution strongly supported their ongoing Eco-School program while enriching their technology-based teaching methods.

The project’s success was driven by clear task distribution and strong collaboration among team members. Aldiez Rizkia Centrinova led the overall coordination and IoT–application system integration. Cathrine Alvani Wella De Daur handled documentation and publication. Qonita Aulia Putri was responsible for sensor installation, actuator assembly, and IoT network configuration. Meanwhile, Suci Nur Aisyah focused on developing learning modules and conducting outreach for teachers and students on how to use the system.

The KKN team hopes that the Smart Vertical Garden will continue to be used as part of environmental and STEM learning at SDIT Al Uswah. “Moving forward, we hope this solution can be replicated in other elementary schools across Surabaya to support the Eco-School program through sustainable technology developed by the Digital Innovation KKN team of ITS,” Aldiez concluded.