Unit 2: Greenhouse Design

Unit Learning Objectives:

Bulleted list. What UNDERSTANDINGS and SKILLS will be acquired in the course of this unit? It may be helpful to differentiate skills from understandings. An understanding here is a "big concept" succinctly explained, whereas skills are descriptions of the tasks or processes a student will undertake to help demonstrate these understandings.

• Students will understand the techniques for harnassing and using energy through conventional and unconventional greenhouse materials and construction practices
• Students will understand the constraints upon a greenhouse related to variables such as seasons, exposure, availability of light, heat and electricity and space.
• Students will learn to examine commonplace materials for specific characteristics related to specific design constraints

Overview: 

Sequential narrative explaining how each activity/lesson is connected, along with general strategy notes. Please indicate each activity or lesson name in this narrative in boldface, so they are easy to distinguish. Be sure that the title of the activity or lesson is the same as the sub-page title.

Lesson 1: Greenhouse orientation (1 class initially)

- this lesson will explain the function of a greenhouse and introduce a myriad of factors that are considered in the construction of a greenhouse

- it wil set the parameters for the study project design that the students engage in

Design specs that the model must meet

    - the greenhouse will cover a predetermined size of particle board as its base

    - the space inside the greenhouse must be able to achieve a temperature at least 10 degrees celcius greater than the ambient air temperature when in full sun.

    - the greenhouse must be able to vent adequately enough so that the internal temperature can be manipulated to within 5 degrees of the ambient air temperature

    - the greenhouse will use 100% reused material for the major structural components of the outer translucent covering and the framework (exept the base).

    - hardware such as nails, screws, bolts, battery powered fans, etc. must be purchased

    - adhesives will be provided (tapes, non outgassing adhesives)

Lesson 2: Sketch Up Orientation (1 class)

- this lesson is designed to introduce or reorient students to the "sketch up" program.  It will be co-designed with students who have used it in the past and the teaching will be shared between students and staff.

Lesson 3: Proposal generation

- Students will generate a written proposal that includes a

-          proposed blueprint created using “sketch up” to include: greenhouse dimensions, potential layout of growing areas (with growing space dimensions), ventilation system, entry and exit portals

-          discretionary materials list and budget

-          1 alternate design layout

-          A critical analysis of the pros and cons of the primary and secondary design from a growing potential and budgetary viewpoint

-          A 3 slide PowerPoint presentation will be prepared for the class to demonstrate their ideas once their proposal has been reviewed by a staff member.  The slides will include

- Slide 1: Introduction to greenhouse design

- Slide 2: Design specs

- Slide 3: Materials and cost

*NOTE: This process may be of variable length for different groups depending on the proposal review process.  If a proposal is initially rejected due to design or budget concerns students will review and resubmit their proposal until their designs are accepted.  Assistance from staff may be necessary to ensure that there is a general progression through this stage successfully.

Lesson 4: Material Acquisition (ongoing after proposal acceptace)

-          Students will gather material for their greenhouses from various sources and will be allowed to purchase certain items from an in class engineering store

Lesson 5: Construction (1-2 weeks)

-          Students will use their assembled materials and additional provided materials to build and test their greenhouses for functionality.

-          Students will document their construction and create a comprehensive assembly manual or guide that is designed to allow replication of their efforts.

-          Students will take pictures of their construction in its various stages to document their progress and to serve as visual aids in their manual

Lesson 6:  Plant selection (continuous with construction)

- Students will research and select a variety of seeds (herbs) to be grown in their greenhouse

Lesson 7: Greenhouse trials (3+ days)

-          Trial 1: Warming the greenhouse to 10 degrees Celsius (or warmer) than the ambient air temperature on a sunny day

-          Trial 2: Venting the greenhouse to within 5 degree Celsius of the ambient air temperature

-          Trial 3: Irrigating the greenhouse

Lesson 8: Planting (2 lessons)

-          Students will create a nutrient rich soil mixture and plant their seeds

Lesson 9: Greenhouse presentations

-          Students will present their completed greenhouses to the school

Lesson 10: Greenhouse monitoring

-          Students will monitor plant growth in their greenhouses and note successes