An expected bumper crop of hydroponic lettuce joins wide variety of new plants going into Notre Dame's new greenhouse.
Carolyn Tuski, center, Notre Dame’s botany teacher and greenhouse manager, is overseeing the preparation for growing hydroponic lettuce in the greenhouse.
"The primary purpose of teaching botany in the high school is found in its relation to the educational and cultural needs of young men and women," Caldwell wrote. "It offers an opportunity for directed experience and a study of the manifestations of life in one of its most important aspects."
And while such words of wisdom came more than 110 years ago, it is still relatively rare to find botany as part of a high school course of study, at least in the U.S. In fact, a study conducted during the 1990s indicated that the percentage of high schools offering botany classes had decreased from over 50% in the early 1900s to less than 2% by the late 1990s.
All of which points to what a real advantage it is for students in Notre Dame's upper division to not only have botany included in the array of science classes it offers, but to also have such an advanced facility— the new greenhouse — available to study it.
Hydroponic haven
Though the school's new greenhouse, which is part of Notre Dame's stunning new science, art and technology wing, has only been in operation since late August, it has been a hotbed of activity in spite of the cooling temperatures and shorter daylight hours of winter and early spring.
Even though daylight hours are dwindling and the temperatures are cooler, there are lots of plants growing in Notre Dame’s new greenhouse. In the spring, many will be transplanted to beds located outside of the new facility.
She also said she can adjust the greenhouse environment to fit the specific needs of the plants in order to promote a healthy growing environment for them. So far that has paid off as Tuski and her students have lettuce and kale mixes growing along with multiple varieties of basil, rosemary, spearmint and now, even hydroponic lettuce.
"We are just in the beginning stages of the hydroponic lettuce, but it is very exciting to see our kids work on this alternative method of growing plants," said Tuski, who's also a Notre Dame alum (2010). "We have so much technology and equipment in the greenhouse to help make it a controlled growing environment. And this hydroponic system is one of the most exciting pieces of technology in our greenhouse. It's through this system that we can grow plants without soil. Using a specific recipe for our water and the types of plants we want to grow, we can grow lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers using only the nutrients, water and light."
Tuski also noted that she hasn't planted a single seed herself in the greenhouse.
"My botany students have taken on the responsibility of planting seeds, watering the plants, transplanting them into larger pots and monitoring the plant needs," she said. "I am there to oversee and give my input, but they are the ones doing all the work."
Senior Sara Avery tends to her plants in Notre Dame’s new greenhouse.
Addressing 'plant blindness'
The upcoming spring semester will be a very busy one for the greenhouse and both middle school and high school students who will be working in it. They will be growing many different kinds of annuals, including coleus, dahlias, heliotropes, salvias, pansies, geraniums and more, according to Tuski.
"Though I love seeing all the green in the greenhouse right now, I am excited to start introducing more color," she said. "We will also begin planting more vegetables and herbs, including sage, oregano, stevia, broccoli, peppers, pumpkins, zucchini and more. In addition, we will start our hydroponic tomatoes while continuing with the hydroponic lettuce during the spring semester."
Senior Alissa Allen-Howard is ensuring the planted crops do not go dry.
"Sooner than later we will be taking the plants we started in the greenhouse and transplant them into the outdoor garden beds when they start to thaw in the spring," she said.
It's not all planting and transplanting for Tuski's students, however. In her botany classes, which are being held in a classroom near the greenhouse, she is teaching her students the important role that plants play in their lives.
"So often we ignore plants or think of them as just healthy foods to eat, but it goes beyond that," she said. "My goal is to address this 'plant blindness' and show the students that the study of plants is not only a science, but also an art. These plants are living organisms that are relying on us for survival."
Tuski also wants to ensure that students are aware of some of the major issues affecting agriculture in the 21st century.
"We have talked a great deal in class about the agricultural industry and how we are seeing a decline in young adults entering that field," she said. "We also talk about how you don’t have to be a farmer to work in this industry. And we've discussed how some of our everyday actions can impact the environment and climate around us and how working with plants can help us fight against the many environmental challenges we face today."
Every seed thus far in the greenhouse has been planted by students, according to Tuski.
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org