Urban Green Thumbs: Hydroponics Unleashed

9th Grade

Project
6 weeks

Urban Green Thumbs: Hydroponics Unleashed

Samuel Chiang

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to immerse 9th-grade students in the science and practice of hydroponics, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable agriculture and its role in urban environments. Over six weeks, students will engage in hands-on learning by designing and building small-scale hydroponic systems to grow leafy greens. This project aims to develop students' scientific literacy by exploring the principles of plant biology, nutrient management, and environmental conditions necessary for optimal plant growth. Additionally, students will cultivate essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving through peer reviews, reflections, and community engagement. By partnering with local experts and organizations, students will connect classroom learning to real-world applications, enhancing their awareness of sustainable food production and its socio-economic impact. The project also encourages students to share their knowledge with the community, promoting environmental stewardship and healthy living.

Learning goals

In this project, students will explore the scientific principles and practical applications of hydroponics. They will learn about plant biology, including the role of nutrients, light, and water in plant growth, and how these factors are managed in a hydroponic system. Students will gain an understanding of sustainable agriculture practices and how hydroponics can address food production challenges in urban environments. They will develop skills in measuring and adjusting pH levels, nutrient concentrations, and water levels to maintain optimal growing conditions. Additionally, students will enhance their problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills as they design and build their own hydroponic systems, engage in peer reviews, and present their findings to community stakeholders. Through reflection and interaction with community partners, students will connect scientific knowledge with real-world applications, fostering a deeper understanding of the impact of hydroponics on sustainable food production.

Standards

NGSS - HS-LS1-5: Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.
NGSS - HS-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSN.Q.A.1: Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of multi-step problems; choose and interpret units consistently in formulas; choose and interpret the scale and the origin in graphs and data displays.

Products

Students will design and build a small-scale hydroponic system, showcasing it at a community event to demonstrate the potential of urban agriculture. They will create a digital portfolio documenting the hydroponic growing process, including photos, videos, and written reflections. Additionally, students will develop a proposal for a sustainable urban hydroponic farm, incorporating scientific data and environmental impact assessments, to present to local community stakeholders. To raise awareness about hydroponics, students will produce a series of educational videos or a podcast series, sharing their insights with the school community and online platforms. Finally, they will organize a community workshop to teach local residents and younger students about setting up home hydroponic systems, promoting environmental stewardship and healthy eating habits.

Launch

To kick off the hydroponics project, organize an engaging launch event that combines a hands-on activity with expert insights. Begin with a guest speaker from the local university's agricultural science department or a nearby hydroponic farm to introduce students to the world of hydroponics, discussing its importance in sustainable urban agriculture. Follow this with a hands-on workshop where students assemble a simple hydroponic system using everyday materials. This activity will spark curiosity and provide a tangible introduction to the project's essential questions. Conclude the launch with a brainstorming session where students list potential challenges and opportunities they foresee in their hydroponic journey, setting the stage for inquiry and problem-solving throughout the unit.

Exhibition

At the culmination of the 6-week hydroponic project, students will participate in a community exhibition event designed to showcase their learning and achievements. This exhibition will be held at the school and will invite parents, teachers, community partners, and local stakeholders to engage with the students' work. Each student group will present their small-scale hydroponic systems, highlighting the scientific principles and innovative techniques they employed. Additionally, students will share their digital portfolios, which document their hydroponic growing process through photos, videos, and reflections. The event will also feature a presentation of their collaborative proposals for sustainable urban hydroponic farms, allowing students to articulate the socio-economic and environmental benefits of their designs. To further engage the community, students will conduct live demonstrations and workshops, teaching attendees how to set up home hydroponic systems. This exhibition will not only celebrate the students' accomplishments but also foster discussions about sustainable food production and urban agriculture within the community.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Launch Event - Host a guest speaker from a local university or hydroponic farm to introduce students to hydroponics and its significance in sustainable urban agriculture.	Activity 2: Hands-On Workshop - Students assemble a simple hydroponic system using everyday materials to gain practical experience.	Activity 3: Introduction to Plant Biology - Conduct a lesson on the basics of plant biology, focusing on photosynthesis and nutrient absorption in hydroponics.	Activity 4: Group Brainstorming Session - Students collaborate to list potential challenges and opportunities in their hydroponic project.	Activity 5: Reflection and Journal Entry - Students reflect on their initial experiences and insights, documenting their thoughts and questions in a digital journal.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Simple Hydroponic System - Students create and present a basic hydroponic setup using everyday materials. 2. Deliverable 2: Group Brainstorming Document - A compiled list of potential challenges and opportunities identified by each group. 3. Deliverable 3: Digital Journal Entry - An initial reflection on the launch event and hands-on workshop, including thoughts and questions.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Coordinate and schedule a guest speaker from a local university or hydroponic farm for the launch event. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Prepare materials and instructions for the hands-on workshop on assembling a simple hydroponic system. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Develop a lesson plan on plant biology, focusing on photosynthesis and nutrient absorption in hydroponics. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Organize resources for the group brainstorming session, ensuring each group has materials to document their ideas. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Set up a digital platform for students to submit their journal entries and reflections.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Lesson on Hydroponic Systems - Explore different types of hydroponic systems (e.g., nutrient film technique, deep water culture, aeroponics) and their components.	Activity 2: Designing a Hydroponic System - Students work in groups to design their own small-scale hydroponic systems, considering factors such as plant type, space, and resource availability.	Activity 3: Introduction to Nutrient Management - Conduct a lesson on the importance of nutrient solutions in hydroponics, including how to measure and adjust nutrient concentrations.	Activity 4: Peer Review Session - Groups present their hydroponic system designs to peers for feedback and suggestions.	Activity 5: Reflection and Journal Entry - Students document their design process, peer feedback, and any adjustments made to their plans in their digital journals.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Hydroponic System Design - A detailed plan of the group's hydroponic system, including sketches and resource requirements. 2. Deliverable 2: Peer Feedback Summary - A document summarizing the feedback received from peers and any subsequent design revisions. 3. Deliverable 3: Digital Journal Entry - Reflections on the week's activities, including insights gained from the nutrient management lesson and peer review.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Develop a lesson plan on different types of hydroponic systems and their components. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Prepare materials and guidelines for the hydroponic system design activity, ensuring students have access to necessary resources. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Create a lesson on nutrient management in hydroponics, including demonstrations on measuring and adjusting nutrient concentrations. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Organize a peer review session, providing students with a structured format for giving and receiving feedback. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Set up a digital platform for submitting design plans, peer feedback summaries, and journal entries.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Lesson on Environmental Conditions - Explore the environmental factors affecting hydroponic systems, such as light, temperature, and humidity.	Activity 2: Building the Hydroponic System - Students begin constructing their designed hydroponic systems using provided materials and tools.	Activity 3: Monitoring and Adjusting - Conduct a session on how to monitor and adjust environmental conditions and nutrient levels in hydroponic systems.	Activity 4: Data Collection and Analysis - Students start collecting data on plant growth, environmental conditions, and nutrient levels, learning to analyze this data.	Activity 5: Reflection and Journal Entry - Students reflect on their building process, monitoring experiences, and data analysis, documenting their thoughts and adjustments in their digital journals.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Constructed Hydroponic System - A fully constructed small-scale hydroponic system based on the design plan. 2. Deliverable 2: Environmental Monitoring Plan - A document detailing how students will monitor and adjust environmental conditions in their systems. 3. Deliverable 3: Digital Journal Entry - Reflections on the week's activities, including insights from the building process and initial data analysis.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Develop a lesson plan on environmental conditions affecting hydroponics, including interactive demonstrations. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Prepare materials, tools, and workspace for students to begin constructing their hydroponic systems. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Create guidelines and resources for monitoring environmental conditions and adjusting nutrient levels. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Organize data collection tools and provide instructions on data analysis techniques for plant growth and environmental conditions. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Set up a digital platform for students to submit their constructed system photos, monitoring plans, and journal entries.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Lesson on Plant Biology and Growth Stages - Dive deeper into plant biology, focusing on growth stages and how they relate to nutrient requirements in hydroponics.	Activity 2: Nutrient Solution Preparation Workshop - Conduct a hands-on workshop where students prepare nutrient solutions tailored to different growth stages of the plants.	Activity 3: System Maintenance and Troubleshooting - Teach students about common issues in hydroponic systems and how to troubleshoot and maintain their systems effectively.	Activity 4: Data Analysis Session - Students analyze the data collected over the past week to assess plant health and growth, making necessary adjustments to their systems.	Activity 5: Reflection and Journal Entry - Students reflect on their learning about plant growth stages, nutrient management, and system maintenance, documenting their insights and adjustments in their digital journals.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Nutrient Solution Plan - A detailed plan outlining the nutrient solutions prepared for different plant growth stages. 2. Deliverable 2: System Maintenance Log - A log documenting the maintenance activities and troubleshooting steps taken during the week. 3. Deliverable 3: Digital Journal Entry - Reflections on the week's activities, including insights from the nutrient solution preparation and system maintenance.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Develop a lesson plan on plant biology and growth stages, focusing on nutrient requirements in hydroponics. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Prepare materials and guidelines for the nutrient solution preparation workshop, ensuring students have access to necessary chemicals and equipment. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Create a troubleshooting guide and resources for system maintenance, highlighting common issues and solutions. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Organize data analysis tools and provide instructions on interpreting data related to plant health and growth. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Set up a digital platform for students to submit their nutrient solution plans, maintenance logs, and journal entries.

Week 5	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Lesson on Urban Agriculture - Explore the socio-economic and environmental impacts of urban agriculture, focusing on the role of hydroponics.	Activity 2: Community Engagement Planning - Students plan a community workshop to teach local residents about home hydroponic systems, considering logistics and content.	Activity 3: Educational Content Creation - Students work in groups to create educational videos or podcasts about hydroponics, aimed at raising awareness within the school community.	Activity 4: System Optimization - Students analyze their system performance data and optimize their hydroponic systems for better efficiency and plant growth.	Activity 5: Reflection and Journal Entry - Students reflect on their understanding of urban agriculture, community engagement, and system optimization, documenting their insights and plans in their digital journals.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Community Workshop Plan - A detailed plan outlining the logistics, content, and goals for the community workshop. 2. Deliverable 2: Educational Video/Podcast - A completed educational video or podcast episode aimed at raising awareness about hydroponics. 3. Deliverable 3: System Optimization Report - A report documenting the optimization process, including data analysis and changes made to the hydroponic systems. 4. Deliverable 4: Digital Journal Entry - Reflections on the week's activities, including insights from the urban agriculture lesson and educational content creation.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Develop a lesson plan on urban agriculture, emphasizing the socio-economic and environmental impacts of hydroponics. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Provide resources and guidelines for planning the community workshop, including templates for workshop agendas and content. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Set up a digital platform for students to create and share their educational videos or podcasts. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Organize tools and resources for system optimization, including data analysis software and guides. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Set up a digital platform for students to submit their workshop plans, educational content, optimization reports, and journal entries.

Week 6	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Final System Evaluation - Students conduct a thorough evaluation of their hydroponic systems, assessing plant growth, system efficiency, and any remaining issues.	Activity 2: Digital Portfolio Completion - Students finalize their digital portfolios, compiling all documentation, photos, videos, and reflections from the entire project.	Activity 3: Community Exhibition Preparation - Students prepare for the community exhibition event by organizing their presentations, rehearsing their delivery, and setting up demonstration stations.	Activity 4: Proposal Development - Students work on finalizing their proposals for a sustainable urban hydroponic farm, incorporating scientific data and environmental impact assessments.	Activity 5: Reflection and Journal Entry - Students reflect on their overall learning experiences throughout the project, documenting their personal growth, challenges overcome, and future aspirations in their digital journals.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Final System Evaluation Report - A comprehensive report detailing the final evaluation of the hydroponic system, including data analysis and conclusions. 2. Deliverable 2: Completed Digital Portfolio - A finalized digital portfolio showcasing the entire hydroponic project, including multimedia elements and reflections. 3. Deliverable 3: Exhibition Presentation Materials - Prepared materials for the community exhibition, including presentation slides, posters, and handouts. 4. Deliverable 4: Sustainable Urban Hydroponic Farm Proposal - A detailed proposal for a sustainable urban hydroponic farm, to be presented at the community exhibition. 5. Deliverable 5: Final Reflection Journal Entry - A reflective journal entry summarizing the student's learning journey and personal insights.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Provide guidelines and resources for conducting a final system evaluation, including checklists and data analysis tools. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Set up a digital platform for students to submit their completed digital portfolios and final reports. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Coordinate logistics for the community exhibition event, including scheduling, space arrangement, and technical support. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Offer support and feedback on students' urban hydroponic farm proposals, ensuring scientific accuracy and feasibility. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Organize a rehearsal session for students to practice their presentations, providing constructive feedback to enhance delivery.