Student Scientists Test Simple Setups

Special Ed Class and Teacher Co-Explore

Don't let lack of experience or familiarity with hydroponics deter you," advises Evelyn Tennenbaum, a Brooklyn, NY, Special Education teacher. "I learned with my students and we are still learning together, despite the fact that I have been doing this for more than 3 years. Hydroponics is continual exploration. We are constantly testing new products, constructing new systems, and making new friends by contacting people by letter or telephone. We had no failures, only new problems that required investigation, like the time our lettuce was attacked by aphids. This prompted research and an exploration of pest management. Students tried various homemade sprays and a beneficial insect, the green lacewing, which became our hero!

My resource room students became teachers and grew self-esteem as they set up experiments in their own classrooms." Limited by funds and space, Evelyn's students constructed their own hydroponic system from a 2-liter soda bottle, then germinated vegetable and herb seeds in rockwool cubes and peat pellets. When several strong roots developed, they inserted seedlings into an opening cut in the plastic base. Since they had no pumps, they decided to shake the bottle several times daily to provide aeration. This sparked questions and ultimately an experiment on how roots and plants responded to different levels of aeration. Students worked in teams and rotated duties, such as preparing nutrient solutions and testing pH. Things grew so well, reports Evelyn, that they began a business selling hydroponically grown basil complete with recipes, then created additional soda bottle growing systems to sell to teachers, parents, and other students. "Eventually they needed an adding machine to total their earnings," says Evelyn. Students used the money to purchase a cart to transport and share hydroponic units with other classrooms.

 

 

 

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