Where Tech Meets Agriculture-Hydroponics Through Code

About this Event

Students will showcase their SMART hydroponics systems to demonstrate how agriculture and technology work together through coding, sensors, and automation. Visitors will explore how programming and plant science combine to create sustainable growing solutions for the future.

Join us this Earth Day for an interactive, student-led showcase highlighting the future of sustainable agriculture. Where Tech Meets Agriculture: Hydroponics Through Coding features high school agricultural education students demonstrating their SMART hydroponics systems and sharing how technology is transforming the way we grow food.

At this station, visitors will explore how plants can be grown without soil using hydroponic systems that rely on water, nutrients, light, and carefully monitored environmental conditions. Students will explain the science behind hydroponic growing, including nutrient management, pH balance, water quality, and plant growth cycles. Guests will see firsthand how these systems conserve water, reduce land use, and support sustainable food production—key themes that align with Earth Day’s focus on environmental stewardship.

What makes this project unique is the integration of coding and automation. Students have programmed their systems using microcontrollers and sensors to automate light cycles, monitor water levels, and collect real-time data. Throughout the event, they will demonstrate how coding allows them to track system performance, analyze plant growth data, and troubleshoot challenges. Visitors will gain insight into how agriculture increasingly relies on technology, engineering, and data-driven decision-making.

This station is designed to engage learners of all ages. Elementary students will discover how plants grow and why water and nutrients matter. Middle school students will explore how technology connects to agriculture and sustainability. High school students will learn about career pathways in plant science, agricultural technology, environmental science, and precision agriculture. Our goal is to inspire curiosity about how innovation can address global challenges such as food security and resource conservation.

This showcase reflects the mission of agricultural education: developing premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. The high school students leading this station have built, programmed, tested, and refined their systems, strengthening their skills in teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and technical literacy. By teaching others, they are further developing leadership and confidence while serving as ambassadors for modern agriculture. Discover how technology and agriculture are working together to build a greener future—one plant and one line of code at a time.

This event is only open to elementary, middle and high school students at the Southern Huntingdon County School District.