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Science Nation: Urban Hydrofarmers Project Sows Seeds of Success Among Resilient Youth

3 minutes 18 seconds

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These city kids from Boston may not look like conventional farmers, but they’re spending part of their summer getting their hands dirty. They’re learning how to build solar-powered hydroponic systems that grow organic vegetables without soil. With support from the National Science Foundation, Boston College educator Mike Barnett and his team developed the Urban Hydrofarmers Project to engage students in math and science through hydroponic farming and green energy technology. And, because the teens sell what they grow at farmers’ markets, the students get to experience green entrepreneurship. Barnett and his team have also partnered with the STEM Garden Institute to bring hydroponic farming into classrooms throughout the U.S. Part of the National Science Foundation Series “Science Nation.”

Media Details

Runtime: 3 minutes 18 seconds

Computer screens with color-shaded images of a spiral shaped storm. Caption: study hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards from the inside.
Science Nation
Episode 1
3 minutes 14 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
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Episode 2
3 minutes 9 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
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Episode 3
3 minutes 7 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
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Episode 4
3 minutes 47 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Bolt of lightning arcing from cloud to ground. Caption: we all want up-to-the-minute information.
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Episode 5
3 minutes 9 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
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Episode 6
3 minutes 6 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Dirty water with bubbles and PVC pipes. Caption: and reused again and again in a sustainable loop.
Science Nation
Episode 7
3 minutes 4 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
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Episode 8
3 minutes 3 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
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Episode 9
3 minutes 35 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
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Episode 10
3 minutes 19 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12