What started as a senior capstone project for Kevin Ramos has grown into a hydroponic system that could change how food is grown in Southern New Mexico. The project, developed through a partnership between DACC and New Mexico State University, allows crops to be grown in a controlled environment using nutrient-rich water instead of soil. Just as important, it givesstudents hands-on experience across multiple trades, from construction to engineering. Kevin Gall, a professor in DACC's building technology and energy program, said students weren't just observing the process — they were responsible for building it.
"Everything that's built with this is done by DACC," Gall said. "We're their manufacturers in the process."
Students in electrical, plumbing, HVAC and construction programs all contributed, applying classroom knowledge in a setting that mirrors real-world job sites. That level of involvement, Gall said, gives them a clearer understanding of how different trades connect on complex projects.
"The students here were the ones that made that decision," he said. "They're involved in all aspects of it."
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