Hydroponics and education

Education is the cornerstone of progress. Fostering innovation and curiosity in young people will go a long way in ensuring the future is relatively secure. As the world shifts toward more sustainable practices across different aspects of our lives, inculcating best practices and knowledge sharing in students is vital.

The current food system faces several challenges, ranging from the environmental impact of food miles to unsustainable agricultural practices. Schools and classrooms are among the perfect spaces for a green revolution to take root. As traditional education evolves to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world, educators understand the benefits and necessity of teaching about sustainable food.

The growth of STEM

The importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education can't be understated in the evolving global development landscape. As developing countries embrace more digital technology in their economies, the balance in education becomes crucial to nurturing wholesome societies that are technologically advanced and socially and environmentally responsible.

The global K-12 STEM education market is expected to be $177.5 billion by 2033, from $49.6 billion in 2023. It can be attributed to technological advancements like integrating AI across different sectors. The integration of AI specifically has facilitated personalised learning experiences that weren't feasible in traditional classroom setups. The shift toward digital education was accelerated by the pandemic and the resulting shift toward remote learning. There are several untapped opportunities in developing STEM curricula that incorporate digital tools to enhance the learning experience.

Bringing in hydroponics

As educational systems evolve, schools and educators need innovative ways to engage students in STEM subjects and foster a deeper understanding of sustainability. One promising approach is teaching about farming practices and how they've evolved with new technology. Integrating hydroponic systems into school curricula provides hands-on learning experiences while instilling a sense of environmental stewardship among young people.

While hydroponic farming has been around for a long time, its adoption within educational settings has been relatively sparse. However, things are moving in the right direction thanks to the growing recognition of sustainability and how hydroponics aligns with STEM education. Here are some of the important components of hydroponics in education:

• Hands-on learning: Hydroponics offers a dynamic platform for students to engage and observe the plant growth cycle in a controlled environment. They directly observe the effects of nutrients, water, light, and temperature on plant growth. It allows for precise experimentation, like changing the nutrient levels and observing how plants react. Being up close helps demystify concepts and makes learning more tangible.

• Hydroponic gardening: Integrating hydroponic gardening into school curricula can bridge the gap between theory and practice in STEM fields. Scientific concepts learned in the classroom, like the physics and intensity of light and the biology of plant growth, can be applied in hydroponic gardens.

• Nutritional awareness: The educational benefits aside, hydroponic systems in schools can be a model for sustainable farming practices and nutritional awareness. Students learn firsthand the environmental impact of their food choices and the benefits of consuming locally grown produce. Here's more on sustainable agriculture and people's food choices.

• Learning practical concepts: Hydroponic systems and gardening can be helpful tools to teach concepts like growth rates, nutrient concentrations, and budgeting for resources. It also opens the door for broader discussions on social and environmental issues like food waste, food security, the global food supply chain, and the impact of traditional farming methods.

Set up for the future

Hydroponics presents a promising opportunity for schools that want to enhance their learning philosophies, be forward-looking, and be in tune with the world. Educational systems should prioritise sustainability in their curricula to empower the next generation to think about important topics like food production and distribution. At Smart Grow, we're committed to sharing our expertise on the importance of sustainable agricultural practices, including hydroponic farming, to inspire, educate, and empower.