The future: hydroponics and aquaponics
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can investigate how hydroponic and aquaponic systems function and explain their potential to revolutionise sustainable farming.
Key learning points
- Hydroponics uses nutrient rich water to grow plants without soil.
- Aquaponics uses water from fish farming to nourish plants.
- They require fewer inputs: no soil, minimal water, less chemicals and produce higher yields than traditional farming.
- In the Zaatari refugee camp, aquaponics provided over 70% increase in fresh food for farmers.
- Hydro and aquaponics do have high setup costs, energy demands, and technical complexity, which can limit accessibility.
Keywords
Hydroponics - using nutrient-rich water to grow plants without soil
Aquaponics - using nutrient-rich water from the farming of aquatic animals to nourish plants
Sustainability - meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own need
Common misconception
Hydroponic and aquaponic systems are completely self-sustaining or maintenance-free.
Require regular monitoring, energy inputs and human intervention to stay productive.
Teacher tip
Try some basic hydroponics in the classroom using a mint or basil cutting and a jar of water, students will be able to observe the roots developing and the plant growing without soil over time.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords with their meanings:
Something we use from the natural world
Using goods or services
Coal, oil or gas formed over millions of years
When there is not enough of something
Q2.Which of these is a non-renewable resource?
Q3.Which continent consumes the most energy overall?
Q4.When a resource is in short supply, we say it is .
Q5.Which of these would reduce pressure on natural resources?
Q6.Which country has the largest population and growing demand for resources?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords with their definitions:
Growing plants in nutrient-rich water
Using fish waste water to grow plants
Meeting today’s needs without harm to future
Q2.Why might farmers choose hydroponic or aquaponic systems?
Q3.Which of the following is a feature of aquaponics?
Q4.What is a common misunderstanding about hydroponics and aquaponics?
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: The future: hydroponics and aquaponics, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: The future: hydroponics and aquaponics, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Natural resources: Can Earth meet our needs? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.