Tyner High Academy is using a Public Education Foundation grant awarded this school year for hydroponics projects organized by physics teacher John Cooper.
The money, just under $1,000, bought a 48-square-foot greenhouse to be placed on the roof outside a physics lab classroom where students will first experiment growing tomatoes, poppies and saffron.
Physics teacher John Cooper, right, explains hydroponics growing technology to students in his advisory skills class at Tyner High Academy. From left are Anthony Jones, Elijah Brown, Robbie Mannankara, Kelcey Smith and Andre Abernathy.“That’s something they can really see,” Cooper said. “If they can learn something they can actually use, it makes it a more authentic experience.”
The PEF grant is part of $7,000 awarded to educators at eight Hamilton County Schools this year through the Jane Harbaugh Teacher Innovation Fund.
Cooper said the experiment is a good way for students to compare variables since they plant so many of the same plant, and to see where they get their food.