Third graders learning hydroponic gardening

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Third graders at South Ridge Elementary School learn how to grow vegetables hydroponically without soil by using only water, nutrients, and supportive structures.

Students in Jennifer Stinson’s third grade class grew a variety of vegetables including lima beans, peas, corn, bush beans, and sunflower seeds completely without the use of soil.

“My family and I have grown plants in a garden before, but not without soil,” said Jenna Blankenship, third grader. “My favorite part was watching the seed disappear as the plants grew.”

Before planting their seeds, students learned the life cycle of plants from a dormant seed to germination followed by the growth of roots and stems. In groups, students started growing the seeds by placing them on coffee filters floating on water in plastic containers. The vegetables showed progress in their growth after only a few days, and students were able to see more of the plants grow without the soil.



“The plants started growing in about four days,” said Joshua Chatman, third grader. “It was strange seeing the roots so clearly without soil.”

About two weeks after the seeds started growing, students transplanted them into the hydroponic system made up of a platform made of paper and foam providing structure for the plants to grow on and a light to aid with photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light into energy. Stinson provided nutrients to the plants by fertilizing them at different times throughout their growth stages.

Throughout the project, students observed the plants, describing what they saw and sketching the plants at each stage. For some students, growing plants hydroponically provided their first experience with gardening. “We have plants at home, but I’m not the person who usually works with them,” said Uruwa Abe, third grader. “I really liked how the plants looked when they grew because they got bigger every day and there was always something new to see.”

Hands-on projects like hydroponics encouraged many students to develop a love for science. “Science is now my favorite subject,” said Blankenship. “I liked watching the plants grow a little bit every day.”