Urban Horticulture Program Through Smart-farm DIY

The purpose of this study is to develop a smart farm program suitable for urban horticulture in a realistic urban elementary school covered with concrete.Therefore, this study was conducted with a focus on developing an efficient hydroponic smart-farm program as part of environmental education for elementary school students and whether it can be applied in a classroom environment.The research method is largely divided into school environmental analysis of smart-farm operation strategies and hydroponic cultivation program development.First, the operational advantages and disadvantages of the school smart-farm were identified from a strategic perspective based on PEST analysis.Based on the analyzed results, the development stage was divided into the production of a smart-farm using household items and the development of a hydroponic smart-farm.During the development process, students understand upcycling and create a DIY smart-farm by using styrofoam waste that is commonly found in separate disposal, school, or home.Next, elementary school students select plants suitable for general management and create their own pot-type smart-farm.Finally, after making a growbag for hydroponic cultivation and making a nutrient solution, the pot-type smart-farm produced is converted into a smartfarm for hydroponics and operated.As a result of the school environment analysis, it was confirmed that the school in the city has disadvantages in operating a smart-farm, but it has the potential to be a space that can be sufficiently operated on a small scale.In addition, the program development results confirmed the applicability of the program, which can be implemented with recyclable materials that are easy for elementary school students to obtain in their daily lives and with a low cost budget.If this program is practically applied to classroom settings, it will be helpful in terms of environmental education for teachers and students who find smart-farm difficult.