Bio-Technology
A Hydroponics Student Activity


Mr. Jeff Testa, Student Teacher
Millersville University

Each year, Technology Education professionals read magazines and attend conferences in the hopes of bettering their present programs with new activities. All too often, budgets do not allow for the purchase of support materials for new activities, so technology teachers construct our own version of the particular subject with the tools and materials they have available.

About a year ago, I was paging through a supply catalog and found a hydroponics growing kit. I didn't know much about hydroponics, but I was very interested in pursuing a bio-technology activity during my student teaching experience. Donald Testa, Sr., a Technology Education teacher and my father, and I began researching the topic using the Internet and library resources. We discussed bio-technology and hydroponics and agreed there is great potential for a technology learning activity related to hydroponics.

What is hydroponics?
Hydroponics is the technology and science of growing plants without soil. There are three types of hydroponics systems: (a) nutrient film, (b) flood and drain, and (c) capillary.

While these system may sound highly technical and complex, each can be engineered from common materials available to the consumer. There are five components to any hydroponics system:

The pump is optional for simple systems. The aggregate is used to provide a base for the plants' growth.

The system shown in the photo with this article represents a nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponics type, which can be constructed for less than $50. A submersible pump in the container is connected to the PVC hardware via vinyl tubing. The PVC provides the means to support plans. Nutrients are circulated through the pipe in partial contact with the roots.

Value to Technology Educators
Hydroponics has great value to Technology Education teachers and students. Studying a unit enables teachers to include field trips to commercial facilities that utilize hydroponics, or provide presenters in the classroom. From an academic viewpoint, a hydroponics activity encompasses contemporary technology, science and mathematics. It addresses the cross-curricula concepts of fluid technology, design, chemistry, biology, physics and horticulture. The universal systems model can also be incorporated.

Technology applications for hydroponics can include aeration, nutrient delivery systems, design considerations, drafting/CAD, materials for fabrication, safety and tools. Scientific applications include measuring and adjusting pH, plant structures and their functions, microscopic observation, recording data, changing conditions, and many related variables. Related mathematical applications can include measuring and calculating volume, area, mean and range; representing data; investigating probability and data predictions and conducting cost analyses.

The Technology Education teacher can make the hydroponics unit as big or as small as time and/or monetary constraints permit. Once the initial construction of the systems are complete, more time may be applied to the theoretical aspects of the technical activity.

Summary
A unit of study in hydroponics may be a solution to the integration of contemporary bio-technology into a Technology Education program. It can provide students with a favorable experiences into the newest realm of Technology Education at a relatively low cost.

Hydroponics Systems Design Brief
Try this with your students!

Problem
Design and construct a nutrient film technique hydroponics growing system that can sustain and promote the life for three plants.

Context
Your design group is employed by a company researching hydroponics. With a limited resource supply your group must design, construct and operate a hydroponics system that can sustain and promote plant growth for a period of one month.

Outcomes
At the end of this activity, you should be able to:

  1. Effectively communicate ideas with the members of your group.
  2. Design and construct a nutrient film technique hydroponics growing system.
  3. Conduct research on the Internet for background information.
  4. Organize, interpret and evaluate data relating to the conditions of the hydroponics system.
  5. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of hydroponics growing methods.
  6. Describe the process of plant growth and define the elements that plants need to survive.

Resources
The following resources are recommended for this design brief:

Notes and Investigation

  1. Become familiar with the life cycle of plants and also the factors that are needed for growth.
  2. Research the components that comprise the hydroponics system.
  3. The system must permit optimal plant growth.
  4. Daily analysis of the completed system must be performed by a different member of the group each day.

Evaluation and Feedback
Students will be evaluated individually using the following guidelines.

  1. Group participation (20 points possible)
    1. Attitude
    2. Attendance
    3. Contributions to group
    4. Worked as part of a team
  2. Final Project (50 points possible)
    1. Meets requirements
    2. Completed on time
    3. Functions correctly
  3. Work Habits (20 points possible)
    1. Made efficient use of time
    2. Worked well with others
    3. Quality of work
  4. Safety (10 points possible)
    1. Safe work habits
    2. Proper use of equipment
    3. Clean-up
  5. Exam (50 points possible)

TOTAL: 150 points

Jeff Testa is currently a Technology Education Graduate Assistant at Ball State University, Indiana