Resources
The Growing Beyond Earth project consists of in-classroom botany experiments that help NASA make determinations of which plants to grow aboard the International Space Station in the future. Each participating school receives a Fairchild-designed mini botany lab that mimics the plant growing environment aboard the ISS. Fairchild and NASA scientists train teachers to experiment with growing food plants following specially developed research protocols. As plants grow, students share important data and observations online with the NASA scientists, who then use the data to select potential candidates for the ISS and future space exploration.
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In order to maintain the integrity of the experiments, Fairchild provides each participating school, free of charge, with the necessary equipment and materials that mimic NASA's Vegetable Production System (Veggie). Each "mini botany lab" consists of a specially designed growth chamber, LED lighting, watering system, pots, soil, fertilizers, and seeds. Scientists at Fairchild and NASA designed formal scientific research protocols for schools to follow each academic year experimenting with different variables and asking various research questions.
For the 2019-2020 academic school year, students are using the Growing Beyond Earth mini botany lab to examine different Pak Choi and Lettuce cultivars to. Throughout the 28-day trial, students submit data on germination rates, plant growth, health, and edible fresh mass.
PROJECT RESOURCES:
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GBE in the classroom presentation
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Growing Beyond Earth Tutorials
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
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Food Production for Space Exploration NASA presentation
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Florikan Fertilizer: Collaboration with NASA presentation
Copyright © 2019 Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, All rights reserved.
With the generous in kind support from:
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