Combining Hydroponics and Three-Dimensional Printing to Foster 21st Century Skills in Elementary Students

This article reports on a mixed-methods evaluation of a hydroponics-based learning curriculum for fourth and fifth grade students that incorporated 3D design and 3D printing technologies. This study provides a better understanding of the extent to which experiential indoor gardening applications can be used in the formal curriculum as an effective teaching tool to sensitize participants to the prudent use of water, avoiding its wastage. The primary objective was to introduce students to the processes of 3D printing and hydroponics, while also assessing the enhancement of their 21st century skills. The participating students presented significant improvement in environmental knowledge scores about hydroponics, as well as high overall scores on collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking (the 4Cs). The teachers noted the modern, innovative character of the program, as well as the ease of use of the included, offered, educational material.