Kids learn ‘hydroponic’ plant lesson

By MIRIAM MOELLER, Journal Staff Writer

ISHPEMING — Engulfed by the sweet smell of fresh basil and tomato plants, Kari Lyle, 11, clad in a white lab coat, checks the water level of her sixth-grade class’ hydroponic garden at C.L. Phelps Middle School.


“This is their first semester doing hydroponics,” said Jill Bradford, hydroponic consultant. “Hydroponics is Greek for water laborer, and it’s basically growing plants in water instead of soil.”


Bradford has been working with the Ishpeming sixth-graders and their teacher, Carolyn Crothers, to help them start a hydroponic garden in their classroom.


She has explained to the students how the plants can survive without soil and still produce roots covered in a weak nutrient solution and stones. Students also learn the nutrient solution is pumped periodically into the growing bed, acting like a tide system. She addressed plant physiology, photosynthesis and hydroponics gardening skills, as well.


Crothers added that students have to monitor the garden daily by checking the water level, pH content (or acidity of the water), the strength of the nutrient solution and describe changes in the plants.


“What we do first of all is to check the water level,” Lyle said. “If it’s too low, you have to add water. If it’s too full, you have to take some out. Today it was good.”


Lyle added that the basil and tomato plants have grown significantly since the last time she checked.


Bradford said she makes sure the students wear a lab coat, goggles and gloves to get a better experience of the work of scientists.


“That way it introduces them to the metric system, the scientific technique and observation, and report writing,” she said.


Emily Schooler, 11, who was assisting Lyle with the daily monitoring, said she also learned how to pollinate flowers without bees.


“We take a paintbrush and tap on the flowers and it collects the pollen,” Schooler said, adding they had to imitate the pollinating process because the plants are inside.


Crothers said the students not only monitor the garden and learn from Bradford, who comes to visit the school about once a month, but they also record their experiences in a journal. Crothers also ties the gardening project into lessons on weather and the atmosphere.


Later, when the tomatoes are fully grown, Crothers plans to teach her students the economics of running a garden, selling, buying and cost-effectiveness.


Crothers said she received a grant from Cleveland Cliffs Inc. to start the project and Bradford, who works for Big Creek Hydroponics, donated equipment to the class.


“What we’re hoping is to write another grant to purchase more things,” Crothers said.