DESIGN BRIEF & RUBRIC. GROWING WITHOUT SOIL A STEM Design Project. Growing Without Soil: A STEM Design Project

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1 GROWING WITHOUT SOIL A STEM Design Project Presented by Sharon A. Brusic Millersville University of Pennsylvania Department of Applied Engineering, Safety & Technology [email protected] At the 76 th Annual Conference of the International Technology & Engineering Educators Assn. March 27, 2014 Orlando, FL Image from Preview of Today s Topics Design brief and rubric Benefits of this project Background information about types of systems and system basics Implementation tips Students perspectives Resources DESIGN BRIEF & RUBRIC Image from Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/2014 1

2 Hydro-Plant Design Brief Context Sets the stage for the design challenge Defines topic Provides basic advantages of systems Challenge Working in assigned teams, design and make an inexpensive, compact, portable, working hydroponic gardening system that can be conveniently used on your window sill or countertop to grow mesclun (lettuce), radishes, basil, or another quick growing, edible plant. Make your system aesthetically appealing since it will be highly visible for a long period of time. Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/2014 2

3 WEEK 7 Criteria & Constraints Minimize risk of water damage Transportable (during breaks, if needed) Use available lighting systems Compact (12 x12 x12 max) Well constructed Aesthetically pleasing, including label Use basic materials in lab or provide own Work in teams Extensive documentation of design & problem solving process Ongoing plant documentation using blog Hydro-Plant Rubric Design documentation Plant documentation (blog) Bill of materials Function Construction & aesthetics Creativity & effort Extra Credit: Scientific investigation BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT Image from Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/2014 3

4 Challenging problem to solve Motivating project for students Realistic way to address bio related technology in a hands on way Many STEM connections SCIENCE Making observations Recording data (i.e., ph, temperature) Scientific investigation Understanding plants, their needs, & nutrients Measuring & adjusting ph TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING Engineering design process Designing systems Fabricating systems Controlling systems Solving technical problems Working drawings Communicating information via blog Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/2014 4

5 MATHEMATICS Estimating material costs Calculating system expenses Data representation Predicting from data Measurement Ratios TYPES OF HYDROPONIC GROWING SYSTEMS A look at the 7 major types 1. Image taken from water culture system.html Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/2014 5

6 2. Image taken from wick system.html 3. Image taken from hydroponic system.html 4. Image taken from drip system.html Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/2014 6

7 5. Ebb and Flow System (Flood and Drain) Image taken from to grow hydroponically %E2%80%93 overview of grow systems 6. Image taken from system.html 7. Aquaponics System Image taken from Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/2014 7

8 SYSTEM BASICS What your hydroponic system needs Six Basic Requirements 1. Light 2. Water 3. Air 4. Support 5. Seeds 6. Nutrients What kind of artificial light? Metal halide (MH) High pressure sodium (HPS) T5 fluorescent (tubular 5/8 ) Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/2014 8

9 How to aerate and move water? Aquarium Tubing Submersible Water Pump Air Stones Air Pump What kinds of support? Perlite Rockwool Clay pellets Coir Other? Images taken from (rockwool), (perlite), (clay pellets), & (coir) What nutrients are needed? Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/2014 9

10 What kinds of seeds? Radishes Lettuces Basil Beans Cherry tomatoes Peppers Etc. How do you monitor and control your system? Observation ph Temperature Timers Vernier data collection systems Automated controls such as Arduino IMPLEMENTATION TIPS Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/

11 Emphasize Research Design Fabrication Trying / Experimenting Documenting Reflecting Redesigning and improving Sharing Scaffold the Assignment Share after initial research Ask for class updates Collect partial drafts Provide feedback Check blogs Peers give input on blogs Share Successes & Failures Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/

12 Celebrate the Harvest Connect to Commercial Systems Hydroponics in Antarctica & South Pole Local hydroponics growers Trendy Tomatoes Video Top image taken from: Create Expanded Opportunities Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/

13 STUDENTS PERSPECTIVES Korbin Shearer & Greg Schneider SELECTED RESOURCES Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/

14 Web Sites 1. Greentrees Hydroponics. (2014). Greentrees hydroponics. Retrieved from 2. Hydroponics University. (2008). Basic hydroponic systems and how they work. Retrieved from 3. Simply Hydro. (2008). Simply hydroponics and organics. Retrieved from Books 1. Bernstein, S. (2011). Aquaponics gardening. Gabriola Island, Canada: New Society Publishers. 2. LaPorte, J., & Sanders, M. (1996). Technology science mathematics connection activities binder. New York: Glencoe McGraw Hill. (See Activity #5: The Plant Plant, pgs ) 3. Resh, H. M. (2003). Hobby hydroponics. Mahwah, NJ: Newconcept Press. 4. Roberto, K. (2003). How to hydroponics. Farmingdale, NY: Futuregarden Press. Favorite Vendors 1. Crop King 2. Hydro Ponics, Inc. (Harrisburg, PA) ponics.com 3. Midwest Hydroponics Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/

15 Sample Student Blogs blogs.millersville.edu/ssaquaponics blogs.millersville.edu/homemadehydroponics blogs.millersville.edu/growbig rachelandkohl.blogspot.com blogs.millersville.edu/ecolibriumaquaponics QUESTIONS? Conference (Orlando, FL) on 03/27/