An independent, college preparatory, co-ed, Episcopal Day School serves a community of students in grades 6-12.
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CRE ATING A "SPL A SH" IN MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE W R I T T E N B Y T R A C I M E T Z L E R , M I D D L E S C H O O L S C I E N C E H Y D R O P O N I C S H Y D R O P O N I C S H Y D R O P O N I C S Since 2018, Palmer Trinity School has adopted hydroponics as an integral part of the seventh grade Earth Science curriculum. Adopting hydroponics in the classroom is a marvelous STEM, STEAM and Project-Based Learning component for any science curriculum. LE ARNING H Y DROPONIC S Hydroponic farming, which involves growing plants in water rather than soil, fully immerses students in science-specific concepts including plant nutrition. Students learn about macronutrients, the importance of regulating pH, measuring water quality, and unique lighting requirements—using red, blue, purple and white light. Math concepts are routinely incorporated throughout the hydroponic curriculum utilizing the metric system, the logarithmic pH scale, and many other topics like volume and density. ENGINEERING, TECHNOL OGY, ART Students at Palmer Trinity School then compared several different vertical systems for growing plants indoors including ebb and flow hydroponics and aeroponics. To incorporate STEM and STEAM into Project-Based Learning, the students were assigned to build a 3D mini-model of a hydroponic facility focusing on sustainability and minimizing land use in communities. Through extensive research, students designed a unique hydroponic system of their own. Students considered the climate and location in which the system would be constructed: be it a large city, small rural area, or even a shipping container! The students gave extra consideration to areas where weather limits year round food production, and created designs focusing on sustainability and minimizing land use in communities. C OOPER RU Z YCK I ' 2 7 's model was even featured on CBS4's Sunday Morning Science Lab for demonstrating innovative thinking. Embodying the skills of architects, engineers, and scientists, students created unique designs that utilized efficient and sustainable farming methods, minimized land use, and helped protect our Earth now and in the future. Scan here to view a brief video of students harvesting hydroponically-grown lettuce. Traci Metzler's entry in the Global Education Benchmark Group's awards, "Splish-Splash Hydroponics" was selected as this year's honorable mention at the primary and middle school level. 24 PALMERTRINITY.ORG P E R S P E C T I V E S