We have begun a new project in the greenhouse of our science classroom, as a community benefit segment of our project. We've cleared out half of the greenhouse to construct our latest idea. We have four 300 gallon pooIs that will serve as the water source for our VAG. In addition, there will be a wooden frame over each pool, holding the plants and creating vertical gardens. The plants we grow need to absorb nutrients, grow quickly, and be good for food. We would like to donate all the plants we grow to our local food pantry or directly to community members in need.
We would also like to thank our sponsor, Costal Points Construction for providing us with the wooden frames for our vertical gardens.
We would also like to thank our sponsor, Costal Points Construction for providing us with the wooden frames for our vertical gardens.
Amongst the building of the VAG, we are also germinating kale, lettuce, arugula, and basil. By doing this we are able to see if they can withstand growing hydroponically in the VAG, to observe growth rates, and to generally begin preparing plants to be put in the VAG in early March.
UPDATES
DAPHNIA: UPDATED
Our original plan of adding daphnia in the VAG ended up not working out, because the daphnia were not safe enough in the tier. Therefore, we decided to create a device to assist in both consuming algae, and a safer alternative for daphnia to be included in the VAG.
Our original plan of adding daphnia in the VAG ended up not working out, because the daphnia were not safe enough in the tier. Therefore, we decided to create a device to assist in both consuming algae, and a safer alternative for daphnia to be included in the VAG.
TEACHING!
Since we had spare time in class, we decided to teach one of the eighth grade classes about the VAG, and the process of planting and germinating seeds. Also, the algae (which you can read about below) was able to form quicker because of the sunlight and amount of free space there was in the tier. Since it would take too long for just the four of us to plant 30+ seeds, we decided that teaching a class instead would be far more effective. In conclusion, we were able to teach and educate about 25 students who had multiple chances to plant the kale seeds and place them in the VAG.
Since we had spare time in class, we decided to teach one of the eighth grade classes about the VAG, and the process of planting and germinating seeds. Also, the algae (which you can read about below) was able to form quicker because of the sunlight and amount of free space there was in the tier. Since it would take too long for just the four of us to plant 30+ seeds, we decided that teaching a class instead would be far more effective. In conclusion, we were able to teach and educate about 25 students who had multiple chances to plant the kale seeds and place them in the VAG.
ALGAE
There has been a recent algal bloom in Tier 1! This has occurred due to many reasons, First, there were not enough plants to cover the entire tier, therefore the plants could not absorb as many nutrients leading up to the formation of algae, and also they did not cover enough space. In addition, the water flow in the tier was very slow, so it was easy for algae to quickly start forming. In order to solve this problem, we added amphipods and daphnia into the tiers. We have been breeding and culturing them and they are prepared to continuously consume algae.
There has been a recent algal bloom in Tier 1! This has occurred due to many reasons, First, there were not enough plants to cover the entire tier, therefore the plants could not absorb as many nutrients leading up to the formation of algae, and also they did not cover enough space. In addition, the water flow in the tier was very slow, so it was easy for algae to quickly start forming. In order to solve this problem, we added amphipods and daphnia into the tiers. We have been breeding and culturing them and they are prepared to continuously consume algae.
BUILDING PROCESS
CLEARING OUT THE GREENHOUSE
TRANSFERRING THE WOOD
FRAME CONSTRUCTION
ADDING TIERS AND PLANTS
NUTRIENTS
Each of the four pools will be housing different aquatic creatures. In pool one, we added goldfish and fathead minnows. In pools two and three, there will be tilapia, and in pool four, there are turtles. Each pool will be connected to one of the four individual tiers. For example, pool one is currently connected to tier one. The nutrients in the water are distributed through out the whole tier using a pump system that also drains out at the end of each tier.
Each of the four pools will be housing different aquatic creatures. In pool one, we added goldfish and fathead minnows. In pools two and three, there will be tilapia, and in pool four, there are turtles. Each pool will be connected to one of the four individual tiers. For example, pool one is currently connected to tier one. The nutrients in the water are distributed through out the whole tier using a pump system that also drains out at the end of each tier.
