USA: Pennsylvania - Mechanicsburg School Board Authorizes Installation of Hydroponics Lab

October 9, 2023

Phyllis Zimmerman For The Sentinel

The Mechanicsburg Area School Board last week authorized the purchase and installation of a hydroponics lab as part of the high school’s renovation project.

The school board initially reviewed Tuesday night’s accepted proposal for a Freight Farms Hydroponics Lab during a presentation by district administrators on Sept. 26. The lab will be located in a self-contained shipping container connected to the high school building.

This lab is intended as a “hands-on” student experience that has practical connections to a variety of curricular areas. “This will build on some of our existing STEAM initiatives,” said Greg Longwell, the district’s director of business operations / CFO.

According to last month’s presentation, the system will run from planting to harvested produce “in weeks” through computer-controlled automation and nutrient monitoring, as well as maintaining low water use through “reclamation.”

“Students will be able to grow a variety of plants using hydroponics,” Longwell said. “As part of the process, they will able to adjust variables like lighting intensity to learn about a variable of concepts.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines hydroponics as “the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrients solution rather than soil.”

The district plans to use the lab as a science application that extends beyond existing course levels for high school biology, earth and space, chemistry, physical science, Advanced Placement environmental and more. The lab also is expected to provide students with long-range connections to technology education, social studies, and family and consumer science.

The estimated cost of the project is $160,000. The lab structure’s forecasted cost is $75,000, while “installation and build-out” is set at $85,000.

The district plans to finalize details of the lab’s operations over the next several months before installing the self-contained facility and building tie-in next spring. The lab is scheduled to open in fall 2024.

In a related matter, construction remains on schedule for the high school renovation project that began earlier this year, Longwell said. Contractors are demolishing the school’s existing swimming pool for planned construction of a new facility. The entire building renovation project is expected to wrap up in December 2024.

Also Tuesday, the board appointed Ryan Hartman as assistant recreation director for the district’s recreation department. Hartman previously served on the school board until recently resigning “as a result of his appointment Tuesday night,” Longwell said.

Hartman didn’t attend Tuesday’s meeting as a board member. School directors are scheduled to “acknowledge” his resignation from the board on Oct. 24. He previously represented the district’s Region I in Upper Allen Township.

Hartmen is expected to begin employment with the recreation department “effective with the release by (his) current employment,” according to Tuesday’s meeting agenda. He replaces Nicole Singlser.

Longwell said that the district is advertising for applicants to fill the board’s Region I vacancy. “Based on the applicant pool, the board will determine the process for appointing a replacement at the Nov. 14 board meeting,” he said.

Lead photo: This rendering shows the shipping container in which a hydroponics lab will be located at Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School. Provided by Mechanicsburg Area School District