Lesson 1: Selecting Crops for Productivity and Compatibility
Duration of Days: 3
Lesson Objective
Students will evaluate crop options and select plants based on nutrient demand, growth rate, and system compatibility.
What makes a plant suitable for aquaponics?
How does nutrient demand differ across crops?
How does root structure affect water flow?
Leafy greens
Fruiting crops
Nutrient uptake
Harvest cycle
Root mass
Biomass
HS-LS2-1
Factors affecting carrying capacity.
SEP – Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Students compare evidence across categories.
Students justify selection based on constraints.
Day 1 – Crop Research
Students compare growth characteristics.
Day 2 – Compatibility Analysis
Students connect nitrate production to plant demand.
Day 3 – Proposal Submission
Students justify crop selection.
Purpose:
Move from decorative thinking to productive system planning.
DOK 2 – Compare plant characteristics.
DOK 3 – Justify crop choice using system data.
Farmers must match crops to nutrient availability.
Food deserts benefit from fast-growing crops.
Any plant can grow in aquaponics.
Faster growth always equals better outcome.
Provide plant comparison charts.
Offer scaffolded justification template.
Plant selection proposal with evidence.