An engaging hydroponics workshop brought young schoolgoers face-to-face with the future of sustainable gardening at the ongoing 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).
During a hands-on lesson, young participants learned to create soil-free systems using transparent jars, which they decorated and coloured their way, combining aspects of life sciences, environment and creativity.
“Hydroponics allows anyone, even with limited space, to grow fresh herbs or plants at home and it is the best way to introduce the skill to children early on,” said Ouiam Sellami, who led the session with her team at L’Atelier Bus, a company she founded two years ago to “teach children skills to last a lifetime”. “Many kids attending today’s session had some idea about home gardening thanks to their parents and grandparents, but to be able to see the roots develop over time is a unique, rewarding experience for not just aspiring gardeners but any child with a curious mind.”
The session encouraged participants to take up sustainable practices at home using basil that they were asked to plant in the jar they decorated with colours before filling with the right amount of water and nutrients. “It’s fascinating to watch plants thrive even without soil,” said Syrian Mohammed Ahmed, 13, a Year 9 student of Al Noor School in Sharjah. “This method not only saves space but also conserves water, which is perfect for our environment.”
By the end of the workshop, all participants left with a deeper understanding of hydroponics and a newfound appreciation for eco-friendly gardening techniques.
Seven-year-old Amna Ahmed of The International School of Choueifat said: “I know plants need water and sunlight, but today I learnt that they also need nutrients to grow.” Meanwhile her workshop partner Hind Khalid, 11, said she loved the fact that she could take home a ‘living gift’ from SIBF. “I have seen my grandparent gardening. Plants have a life and today I have learnt to value them even more after creating my own small water garden which I will take care of every day now,” said the grade 6 student of Al Shola American school in Ajman.
