More Kids At School Using Hydroponics

It appears that more and more kids at school are being taught the uses of hydroponics for their school projects. The hydroponics industry is excelling at a high speed of rate for school children nationwide. There was even a hydroponic system at Disneyland for the kids to see and learn.

With temperatures set to a blistering 88 degrees, the plants are thriving in the brand-new greenhouse at the Alfred Letourneau School.

Retired chemist Wilson Sallum is overseeing the project and is responsible for the design, maintenance and set up of the greenhouse. Currently, Sallum is growing lettuce, cherry tomatoes, peppers and nasturtium, an edible flower. The goal is to teach the students to care for these plants so that they can assist in the day-to-day operations.

A large portion of these plants are being grown hydroponically, where roots are placed in a liquid nutrient solution rather than soil. Sallum has an extensive background in hydroponics. He is affiliated with the Eastern Fish Farm in Tiverton, which has utilized hydroponics to grow organic lettuce for the last 12 years.

Growing plants hydroponically allows for easier demonstration as they are not rooted to the soil. Hydroponic plants are also stronger and more vibrant than others, which tend to wilt during the daytime.

“The greenhouse will be something useful for the kids, to let them see how to apply their science,” said Sallum. “I think that is critical at this stage.”

Sallum was recruited for the project by school officials. His wife Gail is a kindergarten teacher at the school and she knew that this was something that he would be interested in.

Sallum presented a detailed plan of what he would need to get the program up and running. The school was receptive to his ideas and he got started on the project a couple of months ago. Sallum recruited Tiverton High School student Cody Braz to assist in setting up the system. They finished the project a couple of weeks ago and students are now getting their first sampling of how a greenhouse operates.

“The school was been great to work with,” said Sallum. “Once they see the possibilities, they will bring in projects related to the greenhouse.”

By Derek Vital