How are hydroponic lettuce gardens and the South Pacific Ocean related?
Ask the First Graders at Newton College, Lima, Peru. According to Ava, a first grader at Newton, “lettuce takes weeks to grow” and “the money that we collected is for the ocean”. Ava enjoyed the experience despite “not liking to eat lettuce”.
The first-grade students took part in an exciting Hydroponics Garden project planting lettuce seeds. In this project, the young learners not only grew lettuce, but also learned about important environmental issues.
Learning through gardening: a cross-curricular experience
The goal of the project was to engage students in different types of processes: planting seeds, observing their growth, transplanting, harvesting, and eventually selling the lettuce on campus to “sea the change”. This initiative was able to become a cross-curricular experience as it was part of our “How we Organise Ourselves” unit, which naturally flowed into the “Sharing the Planet” unit.
Students observed various processes by means of sequencing stories in Reading class. In Writing class, they created a product and wrote the steps using transition words skills that tied directly into the hands-on experience of planting and caring for their lettuce crops. Thanks to the guidance of Miss Kelsey, the Grade 1 English Teacher at Newton College, the students also cultivated a sense of environmental responsibility, following a tradition of planting seeds for change in class.
Teaming up with Oceanica for marine conservation
Teaming up with Adrian, an Upper School student at Newton College, President of a local NGO, Oceanica, offered insight into the organisation. Oceanica is dedicated to inspiring students to take action in conserving marine life. The team at Oceanica focuses on “raising awareness through educational programs, collaborative projects, and events…to encourage sustainable practices and foster a deep connection to ocean preservation among young people”.
This collaboration gave purpose to the students’ efforts as they dedicated one class period every few weeks to visit, observe and attend the plants at the Hydroponics Garden. Their efforts paid off as Adrian explained, “The support from the sale of lettuce will help [Oceanica] continue organising initiatives such as beach cleanups, educational campaigns, and collaborations with other NGOs to protect marine ecosystems”.
Raising funds for a great cause
After a series of weekly visits to our campus Hydroponics Garden, and with the invaluable assistance of Mr. Roger, students eventually cultivated the lettuce. Families were able to donate a few soles (1 sol = 0.26 USD) in exchange for locally grown lettuce with proceeds going toward Oceanica’s environmental efforts.
Families happily donated and commented on the lovely taste of the lettuce. After the vegetation had been distributed to around 80 students and their families, a ‘garden of lettuce’ was still ready to be eaten. Donations were then opened up to staff members of the school. Our National Director, Mrs. Claudia Torres remarked “the flavour of the lettuce was delicious” and “encourage[s] the school to continue organising activities that have an ecological” purpose.
The first graders’ hard work resulted in 389.90 soles (approximately 103.85 USD), which was donated to Oceanica.
Acknowledging our conservation heroes
Along with the weeks-long efforts put forth by our first-graders and teachers, our heroes lie in the hands of our Conservation Crew, specifically, Mr. Roger (shown below), who helped tend to our garden, teach students about plant life cycles and assist students with the process.
So what is a hydroponic garden?
For those unfamiliar, a hydroponics garden is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead, plants are grown in a water-based solution. Vitamins and minerals are typically added to the water in hydroponics gardens, as we did to the Lettuce Gardens on campus. This helped provide additional nutrients that soil may otherwise provide in a typical garden.
Why hydroponics matter in Lima’s desert climate
Lima is a bustling city, located in the Lima province which holds over 11 million people within its desert, tall buildings, and, as you may have guessed, modest space. With that being said, many Limeños, including myself, often shop at local markets to obtain the freshest produce. In the midst of modest green districts, Lima masks its desert appeal with local parks that are maintained by district crews with patches of green grass, flowers, and trees.
According to Climate Data, “there is virtually no rainfall in Lima”. When it does rain in Lima, which is quite seldom, it usually consists of a humid mist dusting one’s hair with tiny bubbles. Rather than average rainfall, the annual average precipitation consists of just 8 inches (203mm).
With the lack of rainfall and desert climate, some farmers and the conservation crews at Newton College, certainly do their best to make the most of the resources available. The Hydroponics Garden at the school is a prime example of how we can adapt to Lima’s unique climate while still promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Students were not only able to participate in a resourceful process, but were able to exhibit and promote change they could see, grow, eat, and pay forward.
From growing lettuce to advocating for the ocean
After completing the lettuce harvest, the first graders participated in theatre plays they helped create, raising awareness for SDG 14: Life Below Water, which focuses on the preservation of marine ecosystems. Through these plays, the students not only raised money towards the protection of our oceans, but advocated for the protection of our sea life that can only be accomplished in conjunction with the human citizens of our planet.
Way to go first grade!
Bibliography:
- https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/hydroponics
- https://worldpopulationreview.com/cities/peru/lima
- https://en.climate-data.org/south-america/peru/lima/lima-1014/
