Students in Mrs. Dando’s Education Class at the TCESC Learning Center recently engaged in a hands-on Life Science project using hydroponic gardening. While learning about plant cells, photosynthesis, and reproduction, Mrs. Dando introduced an unused hydroponic system, sparking students’ excitement to grow their own plants.
With help from Mrs. Dando’s husband, Cain Dando, who rebuilt the system’s pump and valves, students set up the hydroponic garden. They selected three plants, germinated seeds, and transferred them into the system. Daily, they monitored water levels, nutrients, pH, and PPM (parts per million) while tracking plant growth.
The project also tied into Social Studies, as students explored how the Aztecs used floating gardens—an early form of hydroponics. Beyond science, it introduced students to sustainable growing methods, especially useful in food-scarce areas.