Grow-It-Yourself
Hands-On Agriculture and Food Systems for TK - 8 Learners
Explore the science and art of a plant's full lifecycle. Students plant their own seeds, cultivate and track their plant's growth, and harvest their produce to enjoy in a tasting experience. Blending science, food systems, and creativity, students will walk away empowered by the experience of growing and enjoying their own harvests.
Cultivating deeper connections to the natural world
We tailor our Grow-It-Yourself curriculum to be adaptable and meet students where they are developmentally — introducing age-appropriate concepts in plant science, agriculture, and food systems. As students advance, they take on greater responsibility for planning, observing, experimenting, and decision-making throughout the food cycle. Below is an example of how scientific concepts, agricultural skills, and student ownership progress across grade levels.
Sensory-rich, play-based exploration of nature, plant life, and picky-eater tasting adventures
Fine motor skills, counting, sorting, and differentiating plant parts, early science concepts, and arts-integration
Structured agricultural experiences that deepen scientific understanding of how plants function in different environments
Identifying plant needs, recording and interpreting observations, and exploring where food comes from
Agricultural and food systems exploration experiences that develop a sense of stewardship for the environment
Analyzing environmental impacts to plants, experiment design, and career exploration
Explore Grow-It-Yourself lessons
A sample of the hands-on Grow-It-Yourself lessons that students experience
Seed Sorting & Art
Sort, categorize, count, and create artwork using color theory and seeds
Soil Playdough
Make homemade playdough representing the different components of soil
Textures in Nature
Explore different textures in nature and hypothesize what they may mean for natural objects
My Plant Pal
Using imagination and story-telling, create a character around your plant and share it with a partner
pH & Plants
Learn how pH measures how acidic or basic a substance is. Use those learnings to create an art piece
Micro-Perspectives
Put yourself in someone — or rather something — else's shoes to learn about other perspectives
Light Experiment
A hands-on introduction to the scientific process using light as an experimental variable in plant growth
Plant Propagation
An introduction to plant propagation using a Kratky hydroponic jar
Measure, Record & Conclude
Measure, record, and graph data from a nutrient experiment to make scientific conclusions
Why It Works
What Kids Learn & The Impact
What Kids Learn
- How to assemble and maintain growing systems
- Earth and plant science concepts
- Gardening and environmental stewardship
- Simple nutritional recipes
- Safe food handling
Program Impact
- Boosts engagement in science
- Fosters teamwork and a sense of responsibility, supporting Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Encourages long-term thinking and systems understanding of life cycles
Ready to Bring Grow-It-Yourself to Your Program?
Whether you're a school, district, community organization, or family, we'll help you find the right fit.