NASATalk

08/26/2024

Presentation this evening at Schrader Center, Oglebay Resort, Wheeling, WV, 6:30 pm. We'll talk about the many new developments in this technology field. Hope you can come!

12/08/2023

Deadline extended! West Virginia science teachers, your students can be part of NASA’s efforts to build a long term human presence on the Moon by joining a teacher-led student global science experiment and inspirational project-based learning challenge to see who can grow the best crops using lunar regolith simulant. The Plant the Moon Challenge is aligned with Artemis, NASA’s mission to return to the Moon. We have space for additional applications, please reply to this message if you are interested in this student plant science research opportunity.

09/13/2022

Plant The Moon Challenge gives students a direct, science connection to the NASA Artemis Mission Sep 6, 2022 - NASA has awarded a $1 million grant through the NASA Space Grant K-12 Inclusiveness and Diversity in STEM (KIDS) initiative for the NASA Space Grant Plant the Moon Challenge project. The West Virginia Space Grant Consortium (WVSGC) is one of six space grant partners on the Plant the Moon Challenge team led by the ...

Sep 6, 2022 – NASA has awarded a $1 million grant through the NASA Space Grant K-12 Inclusiveness and Diversity in STEM (KIDS) initiative for the NASA Space Grant Plant the Moon Challenge project. The West Virginia Space Grant Consortium (WVSGC) is one of six space grant partners on the Plant the ...

08/23/2022

In August 2022, PLANTS, LLC received a funding award from Try This WV to create an Online Hydroponics Workshop for Teachers. This award represents the next step in the collaboration between PLANTS, LLC and West Virginia Ohio County Extension Agent Karen Cox. Working together Cox and Ruberg have expanded their partnership to include Maya Hayslett, an Iowa State 4-H Extension Service expert....

In August 2022, PLANTS, LLC received a funding award from Try This WV to create an Online Hydroponics Workshop for Teachers. This award represents the next step in the collaboration between PLANTS, LLC and West Virginia

04/25/2022

Ohio River, Wheeling, West Virginia--the source for my tap water Do you think your tap water is fit for growing hydroponic crops? You might wonder what that question means. If your tap water is safe for humans to drink, it must be safe for plants…right? Mostly yes, but you may need to make some adjustments in your tap water to optimize your plant growth and crop production....

Do you think your tap water is fit for growing hydroponic crops? You might wonder what that question means. If your tap water is safe for humans to drink, it must be safe for plants…right? Mostly yes, but you may need to make some adjustments in your tap water to optimize your plant growth and cro...

04/12/2022

After weeks of watching your black Seeded Simpson lettuce grow, it's finally time to taste the results. Now that you have successfully grown your hydroponic lettuce for 90+ days, you're ready to harvest your crop. The best way to measure the success of your hydroponic plant production, is to visually inspect the color, texture of your lettuce leaves and weigh your edible, harvested crop....

Now that you have successfully grown your hydroponic lettuce for 90+ days, you’re ready to harvest your crop. The best way to measure the success of your hydroponic plant production, is to visually inspect the color, texture of your lettuce leaves and weigh your edible, harvested crop. Below is a ...

03/21/2022

What happens when a seedling is damaged intentionally? This blog shows what happened to the 12 seedlings chosen for Lesson 2: Activity 1 - How do plants grow? Here we find find out how different types of physical injuries affect plant growth. Below is a quick summary of my results based on running this activity at home for thirty days....

What happens when a seedling is damaged intentionally? This blog shows what happened to the 12 seedlings chosen for Lesson 2: Activity 1 – How do plants grow? Here we find find out how different types of physical injuries affect plant growth. Below is a quick summary of my results based on running...

02/26/2022

Standing in front of a tower aeroponic plant growth system, Wheeling Middle School teachers Jenny Craig (left) and Reilly Parker (center) are using hydroponics to foster entrepreneurial thinking and practices with their students. Laurie Ruberg (at right), founder and CEO of PLANTS LLC, enthusiastically supports this idea. Image credit: Wheeling Middle School student The use of hydroponics as an alternative farming method is serious business according to the US Department of Agriculture: ...

02/16/2022

Have you ever wondered how plants recover from insect attacks, animal nibbling, wind, and storm damage? Some plants fully recover from these events while others only partly recover, and others don’t recover at all. Why? Most often, a plant’s recovery from physical damage is determined by where the injury occurs. If the plants are not broken or cut below their growing points, they can regenerate the cells and tissues needed and once again thrive....

Have you ever wondered how plants recover from insect attacks, animal nibbling, wind, and storm damage? Some plants fully recover from these events while others only partly recover, and others don’t recover at all. Why? Most often, a plant’s recovery from physical damage is determined by where t...

01/28/2022

Growing Food with Hydroponics: Seed Germination Results

I came up with a few unexpected results from my VNS Yellow Pea seed germination. Here’s what happened.

01/21/2022

What triggers seed germination? Most seeds will start to sprout and grow when they are placed in a warm, moist environment. In this activity, students observe seed germination and learn how to calculate the germination percentage of a batch of seeds. Below are links to several time lapse video of seed germination, so students can get an idea of what to expect when they set up their seed germination activity....

What triggers seed germination? In this activity, students observe seed germination and learn how to calculate the germination percentage of a batch of seeds

01/14/2022

Teachers trying out the Growing Food with Hydroponics Seed Dissection activity may want to know more about this activity before trying it out with their students. This blog provides sample photos, discussion question answers, and data to help teachers see what they might expect when they run the Seed Dissection activity with their students. I’m including the seed diagram in the sample lab report, as it provides a good visual reference and introduction to terminology for students....

Teachers trying out the Growing Food with Hydroponics Seed Dissection activity may want to know more about this activity before trying it out with their students. This blog provides sample photos, discussion question answers, and data to help teachers see what they might expect when they run the See...