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Hydroponics: content and rationale: technology is diverse enough in nature that it can be addressed by a variety of content areas, serving as a true integrator.

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Technology education has the means of becoming the catalyst for integrated content and curricula, especially in core academic areas, such as science and mathematics, where it has been found difficult to incorporate other subject matter (Clark & Ernst, 2007). Technology is diverse enough in nature that it can be addressed by a variety of content areas, serving as a true integrator. The study of technology and associated systems, paired with relevant hands-on experience based on real-world application, has great potential for students to learn about as well as apply technological solutions.

The objective of this article is to provide content and reasoning for the purposes of kinesthetic learning applications. Foundational information necessary for expanded investigational practices permits students to research, formulate, and evaluate solutions associated with technological and scientific problems. The information presented will provide instructors with authentic content to serve as a knowledge base for activities. This content will assist in implementing Standard 15 of Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology (STL) (ITEA, 2000/2002/2007) into technology education classes.

The application of technological tools (e.g. automated control devices, growing mediums, pumps, etc.) to explain science is important for a better understanding of the occurrences of nature. An excellent example of this is the application of the concept of systems to explain the ecology that supports life cycles for plants and animals. This concept of ecological systems (ecosystems) is fundamental for students to understand as noted in Content Standard C of the National Science Education Standards (NAS, 1996). Ecosystems are made up of nonliving (abiotic) factors (e.g. air, dirt, sunshine, water) and living (biotic) factors (i.e. animals, plants). Naturally occurring ecosystems can be large or small. The earth is considered a large ecosystem made up of many smaller ecosystems (Peterson, Shown, Penick, Berenson, White, Bonnstetter, et al., 2005).

Humans have been creating ecosystems since they began planting seeds for harvest. These ecosystems that are influenced by humans are considered to be artificial ecosystems (i.e. hydroponic systems). Standards for Technological Literacy identifies artificial ecosystems as part of the agricultural and biotechnological designed world and defines them as "human-made environments that are designed to function as a unit and are comprised of humans, plants, and animals" (ITEA,...

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