Have you ever wondered if you can grow plants without soil? This is just the virtual field trip for you as we will learn more about how to do just that. Come along with us as we head to the greenhouse at West Central Area Schools, where you will have the opportunity to experience a hydroponics greenhouse system that is being used for elementary classrooms. This will be a rewarding opportunity for your students to learn about growing food for your school and community.
The West Central Area School Greenhouse, established a few years ago, offers students hands-on learning experiences in plant care and harvest. It has become a space where students not only learn the basics of horticulture but also the science behind growing a variety of plants, from petunias to peppers.
Inside the Greenhouse
The greenhouse employs sun and shade curtains to regulate the temperature, creating the ideal environment for plants to grow. Inside, a diverse range of plants, including grapes, petunias, and peppers, grow. In partnership with a local vineyard, the greenhouse receives plant clippings from the vineyard's pruning process. Students use these clippings to grow new
plants and learn about plant propagation.
Once the plants mature, the students sell them to the local community. By the end of the school year, students estimate they will sell around 9,000 flowers, with the plants transitioning from small pots to hanging baskets for sale.
Soil Science and Hydroponics
The greenhouse also collaborates with an agronomist to teach students about soil science. Students experiment with various factors, including temperature, nutrients, and crop growth, using common farm crops like corn and soybeans.
In addition to traditional methods, the greenhouse features a hydroponic system to grow plants without soil. In this system, seeds are planted into rockwool, which sits in a water system that fills periodically. Each week, the students harvest 72 plants from the system, package them, and donate the food to a local food shelf.
Beyond the greenhouse, the school also has an apple orchard, a sweet corn plot, and a meat processing trailer. Together, these facilities provide students with a hands-on understanding of agriculture, offering learning experiences that range from planting crops to food production.
To learn more about West Central Area Schools and the Greenhouse, watch the virtual field trip video.
