Em-Powered by Plants

Brentwood, N.Y. (October 2018)—Twelve Brentwood High School students from its acclaimed science research program recently visited Laurel Park Elementary School to celebrate the commencement of Project GROW (Green Resource for Observing Water), a districtwide initiative to teach the next generation of Brentwood’s science-explorers about hydroponic gardening. With a funding grant and support from the Nature Conservancy’s Nature Works Everywhere program and Brentwood’s science research and engineering teachers, Dr. Rebecca Grella and Jacob Mulderig, students constructed portable hydroponic grow stations for the eleven elementary schools in the district.

“The kickoff of Project GROW was a great success and a stellar representation of the district’s remarkable science research program,” said Brentwood Union Free School District Superintendent Mr. Richard Loeschner. “The dedication of our teachers and faculty fosters an interest in our students to be the critical thinkers, scientists, and engineers of the future.”

During the last several months, Brentwood’s highly innovative students have worked diligently to prepare the hydroponic grow stations for this school year. Starting from scratch, the twelve high schoolers created the infrastructure for these in-classroom gardens through different makerspace activities, making things from ordinary objects. Students used a cooler, fence posts, and lights. The cooler is used as a base and reservoir for water, while the water tube feeds up through the fence post and disperses at the top to water the roots of each plant.

Over the course of this school year, Project GROW will take place in three cycles: (1) planting stage, (2) collecting and analyzing data on plant growth and (3) presenting data collected during the second cycle. Recently, students celebrated the planting stage by watching the high schoolers’ presentation detailing the comprehensive hydroponic irrigation system. To assist the younger students better understand how to sustain their classroom gardens, the high schoolers also presented tutorials demonstrating how to plant in the hydroponics, the proper care including the timer settings, water levels, pH levels, and the appropriate planting process. The mentors assisted the younger children as they planted seeds in cups to place in the hydroponic units. During stage two, students will collect and analyze the growth of each hydroponic unit in the classrooms. For stage three, students will work towards strengthening their presentation skills by preparing their scientific research for presentation to the district.

“Brentwood Union Free School District is always looking for innovative ways to offer upperclassmen students opportunities to serve as role models for our younger children,” said Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Anne Palmer. “Pairing the high schoolers with elementary students helps foster and develop nurturing relationships throughout the district. We are extremely proud of our students for making a proactive effort to be cognizant about improving our ecosystems.”

Project GROW seeks to bridge the gap between high schools and elementary schools by fostering supportive mentor relationships between the students through a project and curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. This initiative is part of the Brentwood School District’s ongoing mission to strengthen the learning environment by promoting inquiry and learning through hands-on, project-based experiences. The money received from the Nature Works Everywhere grant is the ‘seed’ of the district’s initiative to promote water quality and healthy food choices beginning at a young age. Project GROW is bound to be fruitful.

For more information about the Brentwood Union Free School District, please visit the district’s website at http://www.brentwood.k12.ny.us.