By: Jaida Andrews
Students in Courtney Ibendahl’s greenhouse management class recently constructed
miniature greenhouses using different materials.
For this project, students were able to choose their own lighting, heating, cooling, and
watering sources.
“As these are model greenhouses, they get to choose what kind they grow based upon
the type they chose to build,” said Ibendahl.
The types of greenhouses they could build included hoop, even-span, uneven span, ridge-
and-furrow and lean-to.
“Each design plan is based upon their individual planning, so it depends on where they
chose to put their benching, work areas, door, watering system, heating, etc,” said Ibendahl.
Students can use what they have learned in class about the greenhouse structure and
functions and apply it to the construction of their own greenhouse.
Construction materials included popsicle sticks, wooden dowel rods, various craft
materials, as well as numerous other items.
By completing this project, students demonstrated their understanding by writing an
explanation of materials used and the purpose of each.