Biotechnology

Biotechnology is technology based on biology, especially when used in agriculture, food science, and medicine. ...

Edward DeBono’s Thinking Hats

You Tube intro to thinking Hats http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjVxSk1MqO4

The de Bono Hats system (also known as "Six Hats" or "Six Thinking Hats") is a thinking tool for group discussion and individual thinking. It provides a means for groups to think together more effectively, and a means to plan thinking processes in a detailed and cohesive way. The method is attributed to Dr. Edward de Bono and is the subject of his book, Six Thinking Hats. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Thinking_Hats

Technology for Technology’s Sake

In your group put on your yellow thinking hat and discuss the positive implications biotechnology could have.

Put on your black thinking hat and discuss the limitations or negative implications biotechnology could have.

Put on your green thinking hats and list 3 things that could be improved in the future using biotechnology

http://www.biotechlearn.org.nz/themes/new_zealand_views_on_biotech/video_clips/biotechnology_for_a_better_future_part_1_v0181

Classroom topicsFood – Bread, Yoghurt, CheeseComposting or changing the soil

environmentHydroponicsCaring for animalsWorm Farming

Web links Kids Gardening

http://www.kidsgardening.com/hydroponicsguide/hydro1-1-intro.asp

Biotech Learning Hub http://www.biotechlearn.org.nz/

Techlinkhttp://www.techlink.org.nz/

Safety Working with living things – organisms,

animals, cultures Hygiene Disposal of moulds and bacteria Not using a food prep area

Social Considerations Which ones of these are relevant

for children?• Attitudes towards caring for living

things• Keeping the environment

aesthetically pleasing and healthy.• How we deal with organic waste.• Sustainability

Hydroponics

EDCR2322009

What no soil? Hydroponics, in its simplest form, is

growing plants by supplying all necessary nutrients in the plants' water supply rather than through the soil.

The word derives from the Greek root words hydro and ponics, meaning water working.

PurposeGrowing plants :

more rapidlyin smaller areas (greenhouses,

living rooms, classrooms, and rooftops)

to produce food in parts of the world where space, good soil, and/or water are limited.

What you need… Growing media for plants – combination of sand,

gravel, perlite, rockwool and or oasis. Yoghurt containers one small and one larger to hold

the solution Chux cloth as a wick Nutrient solution ( obtained from garden centres or

specialist stores)

What is in the solution?Macronutrients Nitrogen (N) Encourages leaf renewal and growth Phosphorus (P) Encourages root growth and blooming Potassium (K) Helps the plant to resist disease

and grow in a variety of temperatures. Calcium (Ca) Encourages new growth Magnesium (Mg) Helps to maintain good leaf colour

that aids in sunlight absorption Sulphur (S) contributes to leaf colour.

Types of Systems Passive – plant simply

has its roots suspended in hydroponic solution

Active – usually found in commercial systems where the plants roots are continually bathed in a moving film of nutrient solution.

Basic passive system

Plant care Don’t over crowd plants Select disease and pest resistant plant varieties Keep hand and equipment clean when handling to

avoid transferring of bacteria and disease Watch for pests Change solution regularly ( every 1-3 weeks) Position 60 cm from sunny window.