Hydroponics in Action at Archimedes Academy

OmniLearn’s Hydroponics Afterschool Program at Archimedes Academy is thriving! Designed to connect science and sustainability, the program gives high school students a hands-on opportunity to explore how food can be grown in sustainable ways.

Our vision for the Hydroponics Afterschool Program is to empower students to explore living systems through hands-on engagement with commercial hydroponic technology. During the first half of the year, students explored how different hydroponic systems work by germinating and growing a variety of seeds. In doing so, students also learned the chemistry behind plant growth and observed firsthand how plants grow and reproduce. Our student growers also learned how to monitor plant health and measure environmental conditions like pH, nutrient levels, and temperature to ensure successful growth.

How Hydroponics Works

Germinating seeds in the Idoo Home Garden DWC Kit

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead, plant roots are supported by a growth substrate such as rockwool and are supplied with water that contains carefully balanced nutrients. Our students used two types of hydroponics systems, Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Systems and Deep Water Culture (DWC) Systems. In NFT Systems, the roots of plants are suspended in a shallow stream of nutrient rich water that is continually circulated throughout the system. NFT is a good method to use for fast-growing plants grown in large quantities. In DWC Systems, the roots of plants are fully submerged in a deep pool of nutrient rich water that is occasionally circulated. DWC is a good method for growing larger plants that require strong root systems.

Using tools such as pH meters and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meters, students monitor the chemistry of the water to ensure plants can absorb nutrients effectively. Because hydroponic systems can be grown vertically, and use significantly less water than traditional farming, they offer a more sustainable solution for food production—especially in urban environments.

Adult plants were transferred to the Sananbio Vertical Farming System which uniquely incorporates NFT and DWC methods to grow produce. Water circulates through each tier of the system providing a continuous stream of nutrient rich water for the roots to grow in.

In our program, students work with equipment such as the Sananbio Vertical Farming NFT System and Idoo Home Garden DWC kits, using seeds, water, rockwool, plastic germination cups, and simple tools to support healthy plant growth.

Our First Harvest

Plants in the Sananbio System were ready for harvest after about 8 weeks of growth!

Eight weeks later, with a system full of healthy plants, it was time for our first harvest. The students proposed donating some of our harvested produce to Revive Church, a local parish that the school frequently partners with. We harvested, washed, and packaged our produce for donation. In total, we harvested four heads of romaine lettuce, four healthy basil plants, three full bunches of mint, three bunches of cilantro, and two bunches of dill. Our donations were warmly received at a time of year when fresh produce is less accessible for many communities. 

Students packaged our harvested produce for delivery to Revive Church in the Bronx

In addition to donated produce, we also grew six adult tomato plants and four bell pepper plants which had started to flower by the time they were harvested and given to staff members to continue growing at home. With the school break approaching, this ensured the plants could continue to thrive rather than be lost before producing fruit. Our green pea plants had started fruiting by the time of harvest and the students got to try the produce they had been growing for the past eight weeks!

What’s Sprouting Next?

As we move into the second half of the year, students will begin deeper investigations, design student-led experiments, and continue building their skills through hands-on work with the hydroponic systems.

In early January, we began to clean and prepare the system for the next round of plants. The students are already growing marigolds to sell for Valentine’s Day and have started germinating strawberries that will eventually be transferred into our hydroponics system. 

In addition to our next growing phase, the students are taking a collaborative approach, combining our findings from the first half of the school year into a group project for the Archimedes Science Fair. This has helped build confidence, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose. Students are already hard at work on their presentation, and we’re excited to share updates as the science fair approaches!