Uni part of fruitful project in Banana
Published on 30 September, 2011
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - that's the method school students from Banana Primary School will be using to grow their own fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Kylie Hopkins from CQUniversity's Centre for Plant and Water Science, is working with Courtney Hamilton, teacher at Banana Primary School, as technical advisor on this project.
Kylie Hopkins and students from Banana Primary School
"Students will learn to garden using the three Rs. Reduce - hydroponics reduces water use as it is very water efficient but also reduces the time and physical work associated with soil gardening. Reuse - materials used to construct this garden, even the media plants are grown in, can be reused time and time again. Recycle - old, even broken, everyday items will be recycled and given a new purpose in this garden."
Banana Primary School was awarded funds through the Coles Junior Landcare School Garden Grant to create its ‘Reduce Reuse Recycle Hydroponic Garden'.
"There are no recycling services in Banana so the concept of recycling is new to the students. The kids will get to grow their own fresh fruit and vegetables whilst learning about sustainable practices," says Courtney.
"The garden will be of great benefit to all of our students. Our students with intellectual impairments and learning difficulties can learn in a different environment in a hands-on manner, our Prep students will use the produce in cooking classes and we hope overall that the garden will teach our students to make healthy life and food choices."
Hydroponic GardenThis garden concept stemmed from an ongoing relationship between the Centre for Plant and Water Science and Banana Primary School.
Kylie visited Courtney's Prep class earlier this year to demonstrate water-wise gardening using hydroponics when the students were learning about the water cycle.
"We are excited about continuing our involvement with each other and with Junior Landcare," Kylie says.
The garden is currently in the planning stage and will be constructed by the students and teachers in term 1 of 2012.