Hooked on Hydroponics Awards

High School Level: Ten (10) award packages

Wondering if a hydroponic system is suited to your classroom? To help you decide, we provide equipment descriptions for packages that were awarded in 2006, and ideas for classroom activities for the various award packages. The packages awarded in 2007 may vary from these specific components, but will be similar in size and application.

The table below contains a brief overview of package characteristics. For more detailed descriptions of components and suggestions for classroom use, please follow the "details" links under the heading "Package Name":

Package Name	Equipment Dimensions	Growing Area Dimensions	Appropriate Plants	Misc. Notes
H-1 (details)	2 growing units: each measures  2' W x 3' L	2 light units: each provides a 5' x 5' primary growing area; low light plants will thrive on perimeter	Anything	Each fixture requires a support that can hold 20 lbs.; convertible between metal halide (blue spectrum) and high-pressure sodium (red spectrum) lamps
H-2 (details)	3' W x 4' L	3' W x 4' L	Quick- or slow-maturing crops; preferred method for greens production	Suited for a greenhouse or an area with existing high-intensity discharge light system (i.e., light not included with this package)

 

Package H-1 Classroom Uses and Equipment Details

Classroom Uses
You can change the bulb in the fixture from metal halide to high-pressure sodium. The metal halide lamp provides light from the blue spectrum for growth, and can be used as the sole source of light for indoor plants; the light from a high-pressure sodium lamp is from the red spectrum, which boosts flowering. The growing area provided by this light is quite large. The flood-and-drain system is suitable for growing all kinds of plants.

This package includes two complete systems — lights and growing units — allowing for side-by-side trials or friendly classroom competitions. Consider comparing soil culture with hydroponic culture; experiment with light quality and duration, pH levels, water temperatures, and any other variables students are curious about investigating. Challenge teams to see whose indoor garden can produce the first flower or ripe tomato, the greatest amount of vegetables or abundance of blooms, or the most flavorful lettuce and herbs.

Equipment Details

• lightweight, compact lights with an external ballast and tempered lens
• fully UL and CSA listed for use in damp locations
• each provides intense light for a 5-by-5-foot primary growing area; plants that require less light will thrive outside of the primary area.
• light penetrates to 3 to 6 feet, providing adequate light levels to plants' lower leaves
• (1) grounded, 15A programmable 24-hour timer, and

Two (2) American Hydroponics Big Foot (ebb and flow method) hydroponic systems and accessories

• each unit measures 26 by 45 inches
• pump delivers nutrient solution from a remote reservoir, drawing oxygen around plant roots. After a timed cycle, the solution is drained back to the reservoir
• also includes: plant nutrients, pH test kit, LECA growing medium, UL/CSA listed submersible pump, programmable 24-hour timer, complete instructions, and an assortment of vegetable and flower seeds

Approximate retail value for package: $1425.00.

Package H-2 Classroom Uses and Equipment Details

Classroom Uses
This package is suited for a school that already has a greenhouse or existing high-intensity discharge lighting. The system uses the aeroponic method, where a nutrient solution is sprayed across plants' roots. This method is suitable for a wide variety of vegetables.

With the capacity to produce 36 heads of lettuce every four to five weeks, students can operate a small produce business or supplement school lunches. They can also compare how different crops, or varieties of the same crop, perform in this system.

Equipment Details

One (1) General Hydroponics Aeroflo2 36 aeroponic system

Approximate retail value for package: $800.00.

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