Hydroponics
This is a “Food for America” hands-on demonstration plan in the Agricultural Technology unit that introduces students to hydroponics. The teacher prepares a 5-gallon bucket hydroponics set-up in advance, then leads students through background information, a walk-through of the growing plants and their parts, and a question/research activity. An adaptation lets upper elementary students build their own mini-hydroponics units.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Students will be exposed to new technology in agriculture, specifically hydroponics.
- Time required
- 20-30 minutes
- Materials
-
- Seeds (lettuce, tomato, etc.)
- Oasis root cubes
- 5-gallon bucket (dark to prevent algae growth) with lid
- Plastic planter cones
- 5-gallon solution: 2 rounded tsp water soluble hydroponic fertilizer 8-15-36
- 1 rounded tsp Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate)
- 2 rounded tsp calcium nitrate
- Measuring spoon
- Stirring spoon
- Duct tape
- Unit
- Agricultural Technology
- Demonstration
- Hydroponics (20-30 minutes)