Over the past weeks, the Gardening Club has been exploring the fascinating world of hydroponics, growing plants without soil! Using the Kratky hydroponics method, students have been successfully cultivating radish, spinach, and culantro. Their learning journey has taken them through every stage of the process: germinating seeds in coconut fibre, mixing nutrient solutions, transplanting seedlings, and refreshing the water each harvest.

To expand production, students also built hydroponic systems in school that use grow baskets supported by mineral gravel substrates. These systems are helping the club produce more crops for school use, showing how science can directly support the community. Thanks to funds raised during non-uniform day events, the club has also acquired an impressive hydroponics pyramid, capable of cultivating up to 180 plants at a time. This system uses a pump to oxygenate the water, reducing root rot and algae growth, and ensuring healthier plant development.

Looking ahead, the Gardening Club will collaborate with the Sustainability Club to host workshops for lower school students. Secondary students will take on the role of teachers, guiding younger learners step by step through the hydroponics process while using the new pyramid system. We have just recently planted lettuce in the newly prepared garden by Armando. The date and time has been recorded as well as how much water we are giving them in order to compare both growth rate and water consumption in our first experiments between traditional and hydroponic methods.

Key Learning:

• Principles of hydroponics and the Kratky method
  
• Germination, nutrient mixing, and transplanting techniques
  
• Importance of oxygenation in maintaining healthy root systems
  

Transferable Skills:

• Innovation and problem-solving: Building school-based systems to expand produce
  
• Community engagement: Fundraising for sustainable initiatives
  
• Leadership and teaching: Preparing to mentor younger students