120 min lesson
In this lesson students explore weatherization (physical and chemical) by doing a series of short experiments that demonstrate how rocks and minerals are broken down into soil. Expand this lesson further by taking students on a field trip to look for rocks breaking down into soil.
60 min lesson
This simple lesson gives students an opportunity to investigate and observe how a seed sprouts.
60 min lesson
Explore the production of apples and the process of grafting. Students will be introduced to several varieties of apples and learn that each apple was grafted specifically for its genetic traits and resulting characteristics.
180 min lesson
Students will use the Engineering Design Process to plan and construct a greenhouse prototype for growing microgreens. Students will apply an understanding of plant needs for growth and determine growing options for communities with climatic challenges.
20 min lesson
Students grow a bean in a bag with water beads representing the basic elements plants need to grow and thrive.
60 min lesson
Students grow mold on apple slices to simulate fungus diseases that attack apple trees. Students apply various “treatments” to apple slices, hypothesize which places and treatments are ideal for growing molds, and observe and name the molds like a plant pathologist
90 min lesson
Students will discover that plants, like humans, need an adequate amount of nutrients to grow and stay healthy. Plants require 16 chemical elements for growth and development. Some nutrients come from the air while others are taken from the soil. It’s important to test soil regularly to determine if there are enough nutrients to support plant growth. The soil test kit will help students identify whether the soil sample is fertile or deficient in nutrients. Keep in mind that all plants need nutrients, but requirements vary depending on the type of crop, shrub, tree, etc.
Check out our Testing Soil Nutrients N-P-K Lesson for math applications associated with this topic!
50 min lesson
This lesson is a fun and tasty way to introduce students to dichotomous keys and how to create their own keys using snack packs of nuts, dried fruit, or chips. Non-food items like pens/pencils work well, and avoid allergens.
Use this virtual version featuring mint candies to learn about dichotomous keys.
30 min lesson
Here is a new twist on planting seeds. Students make a “living necklace” they can wear home or display in various places around the classroom. It is ideal for kicking off a plant unit or introducing the stages of plant growth and development.
50 min lesson
Common plastic is made from petroleum, a fossil fuel and non-renewable resource. Increasingly, plastic products are being made from biomass which is made from renewable resources, often by-products of agricultural processes.
Google Slides version of student worksheet available for elearning purposes.
