Mastering the Art of Hydroponics (STEM)
by Ryan M. Taylor
?
What is
STEM
Science
Welcome to the initial installment of the
Mastering the Art of Hydroponic (STEM) column.
Ryan M. Taylor is here to explain what this
concept, which has nothing to do with plant
physiology or human cells, is really all about…
Before anyone gets the wrong idea, STEM does
not refer to plant physiology, human cells or
metaphorical resistance to something. Rather,
it’s the educational acronym for “Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.” A
Technology
few brief definitions are needed at this point:
• Science: both a methodical approach to studying phenomena and the body of knowledge
that is accumulated and reproduced.
• Technology: a collection of machinery, procedures and tools used to accomplish a goal. In
hydroponics, you can thumb through a product catalog and
see the diverse array of technology—including the systems
themselves, timers, growing substrates, etc.—that can be used
to construct your set-up and grow your plants.
• Engineering: the application of scientific knowledge and use of
technology for practical purposes, such as constructing grow
set-ups and growing systems.
• Mathematics: the bedrock of physical sciences and engineering that allows us to abstractly quantify properties of system
dynamics, structure, etc.
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Maximum Yield USA | September 2012
STEM
Mathematics