Microgreens

Early learners take responsibility for the full lifecycle of food — from planting seeds to harvesting and preparing what they’ve grown. This hands-on, multi-week program puts students in the role of growers and guides them through the process of caring for living systems and tasting the results of their work.

Program Format

Grow-It-Yourself programs are designed to be flexible and can be adapted to fit a variety of schedules, age groups, and program needs, including condensed pilot formats that deliver core experiences and measurable student outcomes in as little as 2 - 4 weeks.

8 - 12 Classes

Program Duration

45 - 75 Minutes

Lesson Length

TK - Grade 2

Typical Age Appropriateness

Student Experience

Students explore the science and art of a plant’s full lifecycle through hands-on practice in planting their own seeds, cultivating and tracking their plant’s growth, and harvesting their produce to enjoy in a tasting experience.

Program Introduction

Students learn what to expect in the program and differentiate between microgreens and adult plants, ending with personalizing their planting pots to create a sense of ownership as they continue their journey.

Planting Microgreens

Students plant their microgreens by exploring the soil, nutrient water, seeds, and Sun Station that begin the life cycle.

Harvest & Taste

Students celebrate their successful grow by embarking on a creative culinary journey to harvest and prepare their microgreens all while practicing safe food handling and trying new foods.

Seed Parts & Germination

Through movement-based play and a wooden take-home puzzle, students reinforce their understanding of the different parts of a seed and how they grow.

Cleaning & Replanting

Students practice sustainability in their growing practices by repurposing their leftover soil, cleaning their planting pots, and starting a whole new lifecycle with a different microgreen seed.

Seed-to-Table Harvest

Students will first observe and share out differences they noticed between the two microgreens they’ve now had an opportunity to grow and then proceed to add a formal twist to their tasting experience as they practice table setting etiquette and try a new recipe.

Plant Life Cycle

As a capstone to students’ gaining responsibility through the entire plant life cycle, they will practice movement-based play scenarios that simulate each stage of growth and assemble and personalize a wooden plant lifecycle wheel to take home.

Take-Me-Home

This is the essence of our programs — we want students to bring their skills and knowledge home and continue their practice with their families, so we give them their very own take-home grow kit and set them up for success.

Curriculum Standards Alignment

Life Science (NGSS)

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Literacy (ELA)

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Social-Emotional Learning

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Math

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Life Science (NGSS) | Literacy (ELA) | Social-Emotional Learning | Math |

Ready to bring Grow-It-Yourself to your students?

Get in touch and we’ll help you customize a program that fits your schedule and age group.

Learn more

Key student take aways

Science & Systems-Thinking

🌱 Seed biology

🔄 Plant life cycles

🧩 Cause & effect relationships in nature

🔎 Observable patterns in how plants grow

Life & Social-Emotional Skills

⏸️ Patience

🤝 Responsibility

🌿 Ownership of results

🍽️ Food preparation and safe handling procedures

🫧 Cleanliness and materials management

  • This program goes beyond a single activity, lesson, and even the program duration itself. Students experience the full food system lifecycle to build a deeper connection to their environment and bring home high-quality projects and grow equipment to continue their practice.

  • This program works well in

    • Daily afterschool programs

    • Enrichment blocks

    • STEM or garden-based learning units

    We offer direct instruction in certain regions and professional development & materials in others.

  • We provide everything needed to run this program from start to finish from materials and equipment for growing to food preparation items and curriculum.

Part of a growing program library

  • Leafy Greens

    Students grow and compare food across two distinct growing methods -- traditional soil and hydroponics -- to understand how different growing environment impact plant growth

    Explore program

  • Herbs & Flavor Lab

    Students grow and care for a variety of herbs while experimenting with how they can be used in everyday meals and beverages

    Join pilot program

  • Soil & Compost Systems

    Students build and manage compost systems to understand how organic matter breaks down and supports plant growth

    Join pilot program

Bring the Grow-It-Yourself Program to your school

Next steps:

  1. Get in touch to schedule a call so we can discuss your needs

  2. Customize a program with our team

  3. Finalize a launch and evaluation plan

  4. Our team manages all aspects of the implementation