Hydroponics for Educators and Education Spaces

We'd like to introduce a group of educators who are teaming up with CropKing, a designer and manufacturer of hydroponic and greenhouse systems, empowering students to be a part of the solution to the world’s dire food insecurity problem.

The Facebook group, called Hydroponics for Educators and Education Spaces, offers professional development, lesson plans, cool graphics, and more. The most recently shared lesson, for example, is Hydro Heroes Academy, Lesson 1.

⚡︎ Essential Edge: It looks like this is a brand-new resource, but it already has almost 500 members and is really blooming (pun intended). The info is as fresh as the food, and the Education Director (a 16-year teaching veteran) is on top of his game and excited to share and collaborate.

 Fun, shareable graphics include fun stuff like Halloween Botany and a Hydroponic Growing Fact Chart.

Even more valuable, everyone is invited to comment on the lessons to make them better and more relevant in the classroom. The hands-on lessons are STEM-based and cover different grade levels.

And another useful post from this summer explained about state and federal funding, sharing links, detailing each source of funding and grants, and explaining eligibility and application info. 

Images from “Hydroponics for Educators and Education Spaces” Facebook page.

According to their About section:

“We've seen the direct need for skilled agriculture laborers who also understand the importance of sustainable growing methods with global impact. We know that food system education is a critical component to combat the global food security crisis, and that access to fresh, nutrient-rich produce should be a basic necessity.We want this community to be a resource for educators to discuss what you're doing in the classroom with hydroponic systems or school gardens, to get inspired, and to learn about controlled environment agriculture.”

What a great resource with real-world applications. While so much of our world is run by technology (and hydroponics is as well), it’s a powerful lesson to grow something with your very own hands. 

Learn More

• "CBS Evening News: How hydroponic gardens in schools are bringing fresh produce to students"
• "Why Use Hydroponics in a STEM Education?"
• "Student-led hydroponics farm cultivates food and a growing community"

Graphics from “Hydroponics for Educators and Education Spaces” Facebook page. 

Images by Jatuphon Buraphon and Kindel Media at Pixabay.