Our 5th grade class was able to participate in a field trip along with our middle school students to see a student lead high school students project in Bellevue to learn more about aquaponics. The 5th graders came back very inspired and wanted to learn more about how they could grow their own plants and how they could design their own hydroponic system (they decided not to incorporate fish at this time).
The students went to work, along with the support of Mrs. Haverkamp, to design how their homemade hydroponic filtration system would work and the materials they would need. Students then created different designs and asked Mr. Till to help them find materials that would support their ideas. The students then built their hydroponic system out of PVC pipe and rubber tubs and have plants growing in just a few short days.
Students are now excited to share their learning with our middle school students as they are also making plans to implement a similar system to support their farm to school project.
Way to go 5th grade students in leading your own learning, beginning with the end of mind and synergizing to reach your goal of growing plants through by using hydroponics.
