Description
Explore hydroponics and explain its uses and limitations as a tool to help sustain human populations and manage natural resources. In this investigation, students design a solution for producing enough food for growing populations and the shift from rural to urban communities. They grow plants hydroponically in a modified ebb and flow system, analyze data from their hydroponic systems, and make recommendations about using hydroponics.
Curriculum Connection
While designed for a stand-alone earth science course, this series of activities could be incorporated into a high school biology course.
Time Requirements
Teacher prep, 60 minutes. Completing the activities, approximately 2 weeks—1 day to set up investigation 1 (60 minutes), periodic monitoring for 2 weeks (5 minutes per day), 1 day for investigation 2 (60 minutes), and 1 day for analysis (60 minutes).
Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support 3-dimensional instruction for NGSS. Digital resources may include a teacher manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, phenomenon videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments.
Performance Expectation(s)
HS-ESS3-3. Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among the management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
Crosscutting Concepts
Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems
Science and Engineering Practices
Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills
Students should be familiar with the needs of plants.