Carolina
Explore hydroponics and explain its uses and limitations as a tool to help sustain human populations and manage natural resources. In this investigation, students design a solution for producing enough food for growing populations and the shift from rural to urban communities. They grow plants hydroponically in a modified ebb and flow system, analyze data from their hydroponic systems, and make recommendations about using hydroponics.
Curriculum Connection
While designed for a stand-alone earth science course, this series of activities could be incorporated into a high school biology course.
Time Requirements
Teacher prep, 60 minutes. Completing the activities, approximately 2 weeks1 day to set up investigation 1 (60 minutes), periodic monitoring for 2 weeks (5 minutes per day), 1 day for investigation 2 (60 minutes), and 1 day for analysis (60 minutes).
Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support 3-dimensional instruction for NGSS. Digital resources may include a teacher manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, phenomenon videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments.
Performance Expectation(s)
HS-ESS3-3. Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among the management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
Crosscutting Concepts
Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems
Science and Engineering Practices
Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills
Students should be familiar with the needs of plants.
A complete hydroponics setup at your fingertips!
This easily accessible, self-contained ebb and flow hydroponics growing center is a great addition to any plant studies program and a perfect way to teach how plants can grow without soil. Also helps teach the basic concepts for plant needs, nutrition, food production, recycling, and agricultural technology. Includes 150-W grow light and submersible water pump with adjustable timers for the perfect amount of water and light. Constructed of solid maple and maple veneers. Features a containment plant tray (8" H x 27-1/2" D x 42" W), a 25-gal nutrient reservoir with lid, and a locked cabinet for timers and air pump. Also includes an air pump, an air stone, 2 timers, hoses, and 8" net pots. The setup moves easily on 4" locking, leveling casters. Overall dimensions, 52" W x 28" D x 78" H.
Disposable hypodermic syringes, 1 cc in 1/100 cc, with Luer-Lok tip. Highly useful for measuring and transferring fluids and gas samples. B-D Plastipak® made of inert polyethylene, sealed in individual sterile packets. Thin-line plunger and prominent calibration markings assure accurate measurements. Pack of 25 syringes.
Disposable hypodermic syringes, 10 cc in 1/5 cc, with Luer-Lok tip. Highly useful for measuring and transferring fluids and gas samples. B-D Plastipak® made of inert polyethylene, sealed in individual sterile packets. Thin-line plunger and prominent calibration markings assure accurate measurements. Pack of 15 syringes.
Disposable hypodermic syringes, 30 cc in 1/5 cc, with Luer-Lok tip. Highly useful for measuring and transferring fluids and gas samples. B-D Plastipak® made of inert polyethylene, sealed in individual sterile packets. Thin-line plunger and prominent calibration markings assure accurate measurements. Pack of 10 syringes.
Disposable hypodermic syringes, 60 cc in 1/5 cc, with Luer-Lok tip. Highly useful for measuring and transferring fluids and gas samples. B-D Plastipak® made of inert polyethylene, sealed in individual sterile packets. Thin-line plunger and prominent calibration markings assure accurate measurements. Pack of 5 syringes.
Students use basic science process skills to solve a mystery in this investigation based introduction to skeletal anatomy and forensic anthropology. Students act as forensic scientists as they examine and identify a variety of bones, predict their origins, and make inferences based on observations and evidence collected at the crime scene.
Kit includes replica humerus, tibia, male and female pelvises, and a teacher's manual including blackline masters for reproducible student guides.
FREE 1-year access to digital resources that support NGSS instruction included.
Save time in your classroom and lab. Illustra™ Ready-To-Go™ PCR Beads are preformulated, predispensed, and include all reagents required for PCR reactions. Simply add your DNA template, water, and primers. Less pipetting means less contamination and fewer errors, yielding robust, reproducible results. Use these beads with confidence to replenish your Carolina PCR kits or for other PCR reactions. Enough for 25 reactions. Note: Store at ambient temperature.
Red-alcohol-filled thermometer with dual scale, Celsius and Fahrenheit. Thermometer tube, in a recessed groove for protection, is attached to metal V-shaped backing. Thermometer range, -10 to 110° C (in 1° increments) and 0 to 230° F (in 2° increments). Pack of 5.
- Durable aluminum interior makes cleanup easy
- Compact size allows multiple placement options
- Two-year warranty
The 0.7-cu-ft Capacity Model measures 12 x 10 x 10" on the inside and 13 x 15 x 10-3/4" on the outside. This model reaches a maximum temperature of 62° C. The unit has a sensitive heat controller maintaining temperatures to ±1/2°.
- Durable aluminum interior makes cleanup easy
- Compact size allows multiple placement options
- Two-year warranty
The 2.0-cu-ft Capacity Model measures 18 x 16 x 12" on the inside and 19 x 21 x 13" on the outside. This model reaches a maximum temperature of 65° C. The unit has a sensitive heat controller maintaining temperatures to ±1/2°.