The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Hydroponics Growing System

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Hydroponics Growing System

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4th Grade STEM Lesson

Noemi Escalante

6/23/2023

Notes for teachers

• Takes place in the classroom
• There are two parts to this lesson, Explaining and teaching how to use a Hydroponics growing system, second part is to plant the seeds using the Hydroponics growing system.
• This is a group activity 3-4 students.
• Teacher need to have a Hydroponics growing system available for students.

List of Materials

• Hydroponics growing system
• Reusable Seed Starter Tray
• Seeds (lettuce, basil, or any fast-growing plant)
• Nutrient solution
• Water
• Pencils
• Journals or notebooks for recording observations

Standards

4.E1U3.9 Construct and support an evidence-based argument about the availability of water and its impact on life.

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3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

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Standards

Arizona Math Standard:

4.MD.A.1 Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units which could include km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit and in a smaller unit in terms of a larger unit. For example, know that 1 ft is 12 times as long as 1 in. Express the length of a 4 ft snake as 48 in. Generate a conversion table for feet and inches listing the number pairs (1,12), 2,24), (3,36).

4.W.7 Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.

Objectives:

• Understand the concept of hydroponics as a soil-free growing system.
• Identify the essential components and processes involved in a hydroponics system.
• Explore the benefits of hydroponics for plant growth.
• Apply knowledge of hydroponics by planting seeds using a simple hydroponics setup.
• Observe and record the growth and development of plants in the hydroponics system.

Agenda

• Introduction
• Exploring Hydroponics
• Planting Seeds
• Record observations
• Writing piece

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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Essential Questions:

• What is hydroponics, and how does it work?
• What are the advantages of hydroponics over traditional gardening?
• What components are necessary for a basic hydroponics system?

Video: How To Grow Plants Without Soil? | Hydroponic Farming At Home | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

Video: iDOO 12Pods Hydroponics Growing System update video Part 2: iDOO 12Pods Hydroponics Growing System update

Exit Ticket: Have students write a quick write answering the following questions “What is hydroponics, and how does it work?”. After they write this have them discuss it with a partner.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

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Exploring Hydroponics Part 1: Notes / Create an anchor Chart

• Explain the basic principles of hydroponics, emphasizing that it involves growing plants in a nutrient-rich water solution without soil.
• Discuss the advantages of hydroponics, such as faster growth, efficient water usage, and the ability to grow plants in limited space.
• Describe the essential components of a hydroponics system, including the growing medium (such as coconut coir or perlite), nutrient solution, water, and a light source.
• Show examples of different hydroponics systems, such as nutrient film technique (NFT) or deep water culture (DWC), to give students a broader understanding.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Planting Seeds (10 minutes) with each group:

Call groups to small table, every student will plant at least one.

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• Distribute the hydroponics growing system materials to each student or group.
• Assist the students in preparing the hydroponics setup:

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Fill the clear container with water, leaving some space at the top. Place the net cups in the container, ensuring they are partially submerged in the water. Add the growing medium coir to the net cups.

• Instruct the students to plant seeds in the growing medium, following the seed packet instructions for depth and spacing.
• Ask the students to gently pour the nutrient solution into the container, taking care not to overfill.
• Turn on the hydroponics light source.

Hands-on Activity Instructions

Recording Observations (5 minutes) every two days:

• Provide each student with a journal or notebook for recording observations.
• Instruct the students to observe and document the growth and development of their plants over the next few weeks.
• Encourage the students to make daily, every two days or weekly entries, noting any changes, measurements, or drawings.
• Once plants get big and the roots are strong enough, students can then transfer them to soil. (assist students if need it)

Assessment

Observation and Reflection:

• Discuss the students' observations as a class, comparing the growth of hydroponically grown plants with those grown in soil.

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• Have students write a writing piece using this prompt:

Write a paragraph describing your experience and the benefits you observed compared to traditional gardening. What did you learn from this hydroponics experiment?

Differentiation

• Peer help
• Teacher will assist step by step, modeling how its done.
• Students can narrate their writing assignment or create a labeled visual aid.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Have students create a compare and contrast writing piece. Have the students write the difference between hydroponics growing system and traditional planting.