At CFA Santiago Rusiñol our project is to select seeds from different parts of the world to test their resistance to the adverse conditions typical of the stratosphere.
Also, although not initially planned, we thought it would be interesting to include mycorrhizae. Crops develop much better when they are mycorrhized by fungi that promote their growth by capturing nutrients and water. We believe that testing the resistance of these spores could be of great interest.
Finally, we want to capture images with a small action camera. Debunking some mistaken ideas such as “flat-earthism” is necessary.
Progress:
- Container box.
The box that will hold the samples and the camera has already been designed. We only need to decorate it.
In later phases we will carry out tasks such as making the hole for the camera and the attachment system for the samples, as they will be located on the outside. - Seed and mycorrhiza samples.
The most representative species of each culture have been selected jointly by teachers and students: maize, rice, beans (or similar), chickpeas and lentils. If we manage to, we will include wheat.
Soon, together with the maths teacher, we will start working on germination and its statistical analysis. We still have to determine the number of specimens of each species.
We already have the mycorrhizal fungal spores available and will also start working with them shortly. - Video camera
We have chosen the action camera and the power bank. At the moment we are working out whether we have the funds available to buy them or whether we need to find an outside source.
Also, before buying, we must check that the total weight of the seeds, mycorrhizae and box does not exceed 200 g. - Context
Our student body changes: many students who were there at the start of the school year have already left. In their place we have new students to whom the project and related aspects have to be explained periodically: What is the stratosphere and what are its characteristics? What project are we going to carry out and for what purpose? Where will the launch take place? What factors might be of interest to us? Etc.
This contextualisation needs to be done with the intention of keeping all the students included in the project at all times.