| by Elizabeth King
Necessity meets opportunity this month when
integrated science classes in conjunction with
Last Stand, a volunteer environmental advocacy
organization, begin work on two hydroponics
greenhouses. Hydroponics is crop
cultivation with mineral nutrients for growth
instead of soil.
Funding for this program,
Leadership in Conservation and Sustainability (LECS)
came from the Community Foundation of the
Florida Keys (CFFK). The CFFK awards an
annual $5,000 in grants for projects throughout
the Keys that raise awareness or aid the
community. |
 |
| Last
Stand board member Margaret Domanski said that
the biggest benefit of the program is that "it
makes students aware of conserving natural
resources and how easy it is to do so."
Students will learn about hydroponic gardening,
sustainable energy, and potable water.
Ninth grade students won't be
the only ones taking part in the project,
either. It will, in time, |
include students and faculty from all over the
school. HOPE Club members will do
research and members of Ed Smith's media
production class will work on public service
announcements that promote conservation
throughout the community by putting on display
what even the youngest high school students are
capable of. Science teacher Joy
Smith is most excited about the project because
it will be "teaching kids to do the things that
can enhance their lives for almost no cost." |
