Floating Hydroponics:
Student
Experiments Growing Plants without Soil
Melissa
Brechner
2005-2006 CSIP Fellow
In
this project, students learn about the parameters necessary
for plant growth through growing crops in a soilless environment.
Guidelines are provided for use of floating hydroponic
systems and design of student experiments.
After
an initial 40-minute class period to introduce the project
and set up the hydroponic systems, the project will require
an average of one 20-minute data collection session every
week for four or more weeks, depending on the plant variety.
The remainder of each class period can be used for mini-lessons
on related topics including nutrient cycling (water, carbon,
nitrogen), plant growth requirements, plant responses
to stimuli (water, gravity, light), and aquatic chemistry
(pH, salt precipitation).
Downloadable
files:
Teacher's
Guide
Student
Handouts