Nanyo NHS Science Club - Grow-It-Yourself

INTRODUCTION

Having vegetable garden at school provides opportunity to students to have a hands-on experience in being stewards of the natural environment. It teaches them the skills to grow organically and plant their own food. Also, this activity gives the young individuals a chance to partake in reducing the greenhouse gases that warms the planet. By planting more and more vegetables, these students do not only provide sustainable food but also helps the Earth in fighting climate change.

OBJECTIVE

This project aims to engage students in planting vegetables in the school garden to promote organic vegetable crops and fight climate change.

MATERIALS

Vegetable Seeds

Water

Soil

Basic Farm Tools

GUIDELINES

Divide the class into groups.
Each group is assigned to a lot area in school to plant vegetables.
They will be given enough time every week to monitor the growth of their planted vegetables.
They can have their own vegetables as soon as the veggies are ready to harvest.
Once the garden has cleared, the students will plant new vegetables again.

DOCUMENTATION

Students are planting the seedlings of various vegetables in their assigned areas. With this hands-on activity, students will learn to appreciate the hardwork of preparing food through planting.

SCIENCE BITS

The Environmental Benefits of Gardening

1. Reducing Climate Change

If people are good at something, then it is building up excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Harmful CO2 contributes to climate change, the biggest current problem the world has to deal with. Trees, however, help fight it. They absorb CO2 removing it from the air and storing it while releasing oxygen. Annually, an acre of trees absorbs the amount of carbon dioxide equal to driving your car 26 000 miles. Trees are our main survival tools; only one tree can produce enough oxygen for four people.

2. Purifying Air

Have you ever felt that feeling of „cleaner air“ in the woods or by the seaside? Well, you were right because it is well known that trees do purify the air. They absorb pollutant gases such as nitrogen oxides, ozone, ammonia, sulfur dioxide. Trees also absorb odors and act as a filter as little particulates get trapped in leaves. A mature acre of trees can yearly provide oxygen for 18 people.

3. Cooling Down the Streets

Every year we listen to the shocking global warming news. For instance, the average temperature in Los Angeles has risen by 6F in 50 years, and the average global temperature grew by 1.4 F. This happens as tree coverage declines. Removing trees and replacing them with heat absorbing asphalt roads and buildings makes cities much warmer. Trees are cooling cities by up to 10 F by providing shade and releasing water.

4. Natural Air Conditioning

Did you know that strategically placed trees around your home can significantly cut air conditioning needs? Not only will this make your wallet thicker, but it will also reduce carbon dioxide and emissions from power plants. Architects and environmentalists sat together and came up with the great solution – green roofs. Green roofs are an amazing way to incorporate vegetation to your home and provide environmental benefits for your community while saving money on cooling bills.

5. Saving Water

Except for cooling, trees also help to save water. Because of the shade they provide, water will evaporate slowly from low vegetation. Trees need about 15 water gallons a week to survive, and they release about 200-450 gallons of water per day.

6. Preventing Water Pollution

Stormwater can be full of phosphorus pollutants and nitrogen. Without trees, stormwater flows into oceans and waters without being filtered. Trees break the rainfall and allow water to enter the earth and seep into the soil. Therefore, they prevent stormwater from polluting oceans. Except for trees, green infrastructure like green roof can help sooth effects of stormwater.

7. Providing Shelters for Wildlife

Trees also contribute to boosting biodiversity as they become a food source and natural habitat for wildlife. One apple tree produces about 20 fruit bushels per year which can nourish many birds, insects, and wildlife. It can be planted on a very small surface but has a fantastic environmental effect. Trees that are most planted as homes for birds, squirrels, and bees are oak and sycamore.

8. Renewable Energy Source

Nowadays, one of the biggest world problems is fossil fuels. Except for their toxic properties, they will also not be around forever. So many companies are focusing on renewable sources of energy. If harvested and treated sustainably, trees can become a great renewable source of energy. They are simple to use, have been around since the beginning of time, and with smart forest management they can become an excellent eco-friendly fuel.

9. Reinforcing Soil

Trees are one of the best partners when it comes to agriculture. They act positively in several ways: they reduce soil erosion, increase fertility and help soil obtain moisture. Fallen tree leaves lower reduce soil temperature and prevent soil from losing too much moisture. Decaying leaves that fall onto the ground turn into nutrients for tree growth and promote microorganism development.

10. Erosion Control

Rain and wind are two primary erosion forces that damage the bare soil. As they fall from heights, drops of rain gain power and momentum which is strong enough to penetrate soil once they hit the ground. On the other hand, if the land is dried out, then wind can do significant damage. Trees break droplets of rain and weaken their strength while roots hold the soil together and protect it from effects of wind.

Source: https://greenpop.org/10-environmental-benefits-planting-tree/