The Tower Garden is based on the science of Aeroponics, a process of growing plants in an air and mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate medium. This concept was engineered at Epcot, and many of us have seen the massive Tower Gardens there, throughout the park.
Our Tower Garden will be a central focus of our class this year. I planted seeds last week, and they have already begun to spout! Students will watch as the plants grow from seedlings to baby plants to mature plants ready for harvesting. We will examine the root structure of these plants, noting how clean and pure the roots are because we are not using soil.
We will be growing several varieties of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, squash, and watermelon. We are even going to attempt to grow "edible" pansies! In late winter, the students will help with choosing and planting our spring plants, such as strawberries, melons, and cantaloupe. (We were too late to plant pumpkins for this fall, but your children will be doing a lab in October/November with pumpkins!)
Of course, a good supply of Ranch dressing will always be on hand in the lab, so that the students will actually be able to "taste" the fruits (and veggies) of our labor!
No comments:
Post a Comment