The student organization Engineers for Climate Action's sustainable hydroponic system will be on permanent display on the third floor of the Charles Library, with all plant harvests donated to Cherry Pantry.
A hydroponic system facilitates the growth of plants using recirculated nutrient-enhanced water as opposed to the traditional method of soil and water. Instead of growing the plant in soil, the roots are placed directly in the water. It is often used in urban settings where green space for gardens may not be readily available to residents.
ECA was first formed in the fall of 2023. They quickly got to work developing a long-term project for the group to focus on. Research and preliminary planning for the hydroponic system began in the spring of 2024.
© Joseph V. LabolitoEngineers for Climate Action members with the hydroponic system in Charles Library
Led by students Maddy Mailloux, Alex Guilbot, Adam Kerrick and Erich Sands, ECA applied for and received the Green Grant funded by Temple's Office of Sustainability. The grant provided them with $900 to turn their plans into reality.
With their diligent planning, including a set budget, over the previous semester, the grant was enough to fully fund all aspects of the project.
The design presented some challenges, as ECA had to consider many parameters in order for the system to find a home somewhere on campus, such as size constraints, weight and ultimately what plants would work within that structure.
"A lot of the planning was considering how much water it would need. How much space it would take up," Guilbot explains. "We also couldn't buy a plant that would need a lot of space because it wouldn't grow well. So, we looked at what was easiest to fit and easiest to nurture in that time frame."
"Also, the size of the apparatus," Mailloux adds, "how big it is in relation to where we're going to place it. Budget too, making sure that we were choosing materials that weren't too expensive and trying to repurpose materials where possible."
The result was a final plan of an entirely self-sustaining system with a three-foot by six-foot base standing five feet tall to grow lettuce and tomatoes.
With sustainability as the top priority, the group was able to structure their design around their repurposed materials, mainly recycled PVC piping. Additionally, the system is self-sustaining, requiring only a power hook up and occasional maintenance to keep the water level and nutrients regulated.
The group plans to donate all crop harvests to the Cherry Pantry, to further support Temple students and the local community.
Overall ECA wants their design to promote a culture of sustainability at Temple for students of all majors.
"We hope that it will foster some sense of a community of sustainability and highlight more sustainable innovations," Mailloux explains.
In addition to serving as President of ECA, Mailloux is a member of Temple's Student Government's Sustainability Committee. Through the committee she discusses sustainable initiatives on campus and helped to plan the university-wide Earth Day Expo.
ECA had a table at the event sharing more information about their hydroponic system including photos and physical samples.
The hydroponic apparatus was installed on the third floor of the Charles Library this past Thursday and ECA students will monitor the plants over the summer break.
Source: Temple University