The group 4 project is an integral part of the IB requirements as it provides us with the interesting opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learnt in class to real life by collaborating with people of other disciplines. This year we decided to apply this project to produce a real life greenhouse in the school. I was a part of the Biology group and we were majorly looking to investigate what plants to grow, how to improve soil quality etc.
We began by conversing with the gardener to fully comprehend the problems he faces in the current greenhouse which include not recieving enough compost, soil quality, types of plants grown. To address these problems, we divided our work into three parts- an experiment wherein we compared different fertilizers with each other, an experiment wherein we compared compost soil with fertilizer soil and a control of plain soil and finally an experiment to understand the stomatal density of each plant identified to understand how much oxygen they produce. My friend and I realized the imperativeness of starting the compost pit which exists however does not function. We began by doing research regarding the amount of waste and the management of it to start off. We were appauled when the management informed us that over 200-350 kgs of biodegradable waste is produced everyday in our school. We did further research and gained information on what kind of waste produced in school can be utilized for the same. The support recieved from the management and school staff was overwhelming. Compost is considered a soil conditioner and can improve almost any soil's quality. Through research we found that commercial compost only provide the elements carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus however homemade compost also provides the nutrients of manganese, copper etc.
We are now in the process of creating a formal proposal and investigating other organizations and companies that have expertise in this. Hopefully through this we can promote an environmentally concious mindset and sustainibility. Personally I found this project extremely intriguing as I got the opportunity to apply skills I will require in my real life when I start intiatives. Additionally this helped me understand how to start intiatives and gave me a sneak-peak into entrepeneurship.
We are now in the process of creating a formal proposal and investigating other organizations and companies that have expertise in this. Hopefully through this we can promote an environmentally concious mindset and sustainibility. Personally I found this project extremely intriguing as I got the opportunity to apply skills I will require in my real life when I start intiatives. Additionally this helped me understand how to start intiatives and gave me a sneak-peak into entrepeneurship.
