. ' I. Water Works 'J,:'" ,.. '.. Quick Check 1. Informational

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1 ,, Water Works Quick Check 1 Informational. ' I. '.;;_. 1 'J,:'" '..,.. ;j l g,._ :5! i 3 What do the Aztecs, Mickey Mouse, and NASA have in common? They have all grown plants without soil using an agricultural technology called hydroponics. The term comes from the Greek words hydro meaning "water" and ponos meaning "work:'with hydroponics, plants grow in a mixture of water and nutrient solution instead of soil. 2 Throughout history, civilizations have raised crops using early forms of hydroponics. The Aztecs, who lived on the swampy shores of a lake, grew vegetables, flowers, and trees on floating rafts called chinampas. The ancient Chinese and Egyptians also grew plants on floating beds. The science behind today's hydroponics began in the 1600s. Scientists discovered that plants need sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and minerals to grow. They also learned that the minerals did not have to come from soil and could be supplied by nutrient mixtures. However, soil also holds plants upright. Thus, most hydroponic systems have structures or a medium, such as perlite, to support plants. 4 Beginning in the 1900s, experiments showed that hydroponic plants grow faster, have higher crop yields, and require less growing space than plants grown in soil. This efficiency is, most likely, a result of hydroponic plants spending less energy finding food. Nutrient solutions deliver food directly to plants' roots, and the exposed roots receive more oxygen. These plants also have fewer problems with pests, weeds, and diseases. s Hydroponic plants can be grown most anywhere and by anyone. At Disney's Epcot theme park, gardens feature Mickey Mouseshaped veggies. The United States military has raised fresh produce at overseas bases since World War II. Many zoos, ranches, and commercial farmers around the world also use a variety of hydroponic systems. Pumpkins being grown into "Mickey shape" at Disney's Epcot Center 26 rr, i::, I Parning Systems, inc.

2 Quick Check 1 /nformar,onal h recycling, hydroponic systems only,hrouih of the water needed for traditional 6 use ne-1 a result, ari? regions can ra!se ore 5 f arrt11n9. greater variety. In Israel, shipping nd1n food ers house gardens that supply non-native contain ould normally have to be imported. frui rthat w d temperature controls allow colder Ughtan.. 7 extend growing seasons and raise crops ons to d. re9 1 d In cities where Ian 1s scarce, systems r-roun.. yea uce more food m less space. In Tokyo, Japan, prod. rice in vaults beneath the city yields four growing r year compared to traditional farming's crops pe single crop. At NASA, research continues on hyroponics in space, but low 8 ravity presents challenges. The hope 1s tat_someday hydroponics will g ly fresh food to astronauts on long m1ss1ons and to future colonies supp on other planets. 9 Hydroponics is viewed as a possible solution to feed the world's anding population. The technology also benefits the environment. For exp example, it re d uces t h e use o f pestic1.. d es. As ancient as history and as modern as aerospace, hydroponics may be our future. The following experiment demonstrates one of the simpler 10 hydroponic systems-the wick system. A wick carries the nutrient solution from a reservoir up to the plant roots in a planter above. Follow the directions to grow plants without soil. Toma;oes growing in rockwool (a man-mde mineral wool) Note: Safety precautions should be taken while conducting this experiment. Some steps may require an adult's help. Ingredients and Materials 2-liter soda bottle with cap, washed plant seeds (Beans, lettuce, or and dried cotton stri ng or yarn drill hydroponic plant food scissors water 1 cup perlite radishes work well.) knife t Ecs Learninq Svstems. Inc. STAAR MASTER Companion Quick Check

3 - iiii---. d ajdetails)/8.rc.e (Summarize/Paraphrase/Sy h.,a (Ma,n I e.. nt es,ze) M Jard 10. tence best summarizes the main point f h sron Which sen wing medium is the most important fat t _e passage? 1 ' A jl,e gro onics is an effective means of growing i r in a hydroponic system. B HydroP onics is the oldest form of agriculture ;.ms when resources are limited. C Hydr osure of plants' roots in a hydroponi s :tg?ack to ancient civilizations. 0 jl,e e P Y em is the reason why the plants grow at a fast rate. --. (onary/g/ossary)/ 10.0 (Connections Across Texts) M d]e(dtc I d sronda' h f II 2. Rea 1c 1onary entry t at o ows. this sentence from paragraph 3 of the passage and the ct t' ThUS, most hydroponic systems have structures or a medium, such as perlite, to support plants. -- perlite (PUR-lit) noun volcanic glass with spherical cracks and a high water content, used as a plant growth medium What does it mean that perlite is a medium for plant growth in a hydroponic system? A Perlite is used along with potting soil to help the nutrients from the potting soil reach the plants. B Perlite is used in place of potting soil to support the plants and to allow nutrients to reach the plants. c Perlite is used along with potting soil to hold the plants up so that nutrients can be transferred to the plants. o Perlite is used in place of potting soil to keep the plants anchored in the water and to only allow certain nutrients to transfer to the plants. Standard 2.A (Roots/ Affixes) M 3. Which of the following correctly decomposes the word efficiency and defines the word efficient? A efficient+ -ency= the state or quality of being efficient efficient= functioning in the best manner with the least waste B efficience + -y = resulting in the act of being efficient efficient = having a higher output than input C efficient+ -ency = causing or motivating to be efficient efficient = satisfactory and practical D efficience + -y = the ability to be efficient efficient= producing the desired effect

4 I th Aztecs grew crops using hydroponics? 4. What is the mo st liel rea :e and Egyptian civilizations' growing methods. A They sought to,md,thate 1 indeon would not support traditional growing methods. B The swampy Ian t ey,ve h. sing hydroponics were more nutritious t an those grow. c They believed crops grown u n 1n s.rc.d(lnferencesjm regular soil. 'd I d t I If t O D Their environment was extremely dry and thus d, not en se growing crops the conventional way. Standard 2.B (Context C/ues)/l O.A (Main Idea/Details) M s. Read these sentences from paragraph 6 of the passage. Through recycling, hydroponic systems only use one-fifth of the water n_eeded for traditional farming. As a result, arid regions can raise more food and in greater vanety. j J, 1 ) j Which words from these sentences help the reader understand how hydroponic systems help arid regions? A Through recycling B Traditional farming C Raise more food and in greater variety D Only use one-fifth of the water needed J.) l 8.RCE (Summarize/Paraphrase/Synthesize) M 6. Why would the hydroponics soda bottle be considered a "wick system"? A The wick connects the bottom part of the bottle to the inverted part so that the two pieces stay attached. B The perlite in the inverted part of the bottle needs a wick in order to get nutrients into the water that will feed the plant. C The seeds' roots will attach to the wick in order to receive the nutrients from the plant food directly as they travel up the wick. D The plant food and the water at the bottom part of the bottle travels up a wick to the plant growing in the inverted part of the bottle.

5 Quick Check 1 lnformat,onal fi rences) M f h' h s.rc.o(fn e t likely reason or was mg t e soda bottle before using it is to- 7. The mos ests from attacking the plant's roots A keep f he wick from sticking inside the bottle B keep nt interference with the plant's ability to thrive C preve.. 'd h b nt algae from growing ms, et e ottle or on the wick 0 preve (Clarity/Purpose of Graphics) L srand 0rd12 : does Figure 2 illustrate for the reader? 8 Wh;he position of the wick inside both parts of the bottle A The amount of water to pour into both parts of the bottle The process for putting perlite into the inverted part of the bottle 0 The number of seeds that can be planted in the inverted part of the bottle Stan d or d 12 B (Clarity/ Purpose of Graphics) M 9. Figure 3 best helps the reader understand which detail from the experiment? A The position of the water and plant food in relation to the cap of the inverted bottle top s The amount of perlite that should be in the inverted part of the bottle in relation to the planted seeds c The amount of empty space that should be in the bottom part of the bottle in relation to the inverted part of the bottle D The correct position of the cotton string or yarn coiled within both parts of the bottle in relation to the hole drilled in the bottle cap c 5 Learn -:= ::=--:-:--:== =-- 1ng Systems, Inc. sr, 11AR MAs-r - /'1 I ER" Comonninn (),,;_,_,...,

Soda Bottle Hydroponics Growing Plants Without Soil A lesson from the New Jersey Agricultural Society s Learning Through Gardening program

Soda Bottle Hydroponics Growing Plants Without Soil A lesson from the New Jersey Agricultural Society s Learning Through Gardening program OVERVIEW: In this lesson, students will explore how to grow plants