Here in the U.P., we usually don't have a big problem with getting fresh produce, whether it's in the grocery store or from our backyard. But that's not the case everywhere, as one Michigan Technological University program explored recently.
Michigan Tech has a
High School Enterprise program that enlists high schools from all over the nation to work on long-term science and technology projects that help students get a jump start on thinking about college and careers. One such school is Benjamin Mays High School in Atlanta, Georgia.
Students at Benjamin Mays wanted to do a HSE project for Tech, and were looking for a good subject with the help of technology teacher Geri Nix. They found one, in the idea of urban agriculture, or skyscraper farming.
"We considered the neighborhood where our school is located," Nix says. "We have little access to fresh foods and vegetables. And we thought about not having outdoor space; many people live in apartments."
Once the idea was in place, the students started work on the science of the project, testing out different hydroponic and aquaponic growing methods for indoors growing. The students went with the aquaponics system, because it didn't rely on chemicals, only fish food, and also had the additional income stream of extra fish they could sell if need be.
The experimenting paid off, with fresh herbs, vegetables and fruits that the school gave away to the neighborhood.
Besides the health benefits, the Benjamin Mays students saw personal benefits, too, like the top prize they walked away with at the city-wide Atlanta science fair, and a fourth place win in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair's environmental category.
And Tech's HSE program had the desired effect, which was to encourage several of the students to pursue a future in science fields and higher education.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Geri Nix, Michigan Tech High School Enterprise Program
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