Nourishing the Planet in the 21st Century

Nourishing the Planet in the 21st Century

Smithsonian-approved, these five STEM lessons teach plant and soil science, while using gardening to make the lessons fun, interactive, and educational. Intended for elementary science grades 3-4.

  • Lesson 1: Plants Around You
  • Lesson 2: Properties of Soils
  • Lesson 3: Plant-Soil Interactions
  • Lesson 4: Plant Growth Affects the Soil
  • Lesson 5: How Does Your Garden Grow?
Download includes:
  • Lesson Plans PDF
  • Classroom Presentation Powerpoints
  • Pre- and Post-Test Assessments PDF
  • Flashcards Activity PDF
Download Files

Lesson Videos

Elementary Lesson 1: Plants All Around You (4:32). Download transcript PDF

Elementary Lesson 2: Properties of Soils (9:32). Download transcript PDF

Elementary Lesson 3: Plants-Soil Interactions (8:39). Download transcript PDF

Elementary Lesson 4: Plant Growth Affects the Soil (10:18)
Download transcript PDF

Elementary Lesson 5: How Does Your Garden Grow? (11:11)
Download transcript PDF

The Nutrients for Life Elementary Curriculum combines hands-on activities and interesting material to help teach youth about soil and nutrients that plants need to grow. I really enjoyed the activity where you put different soil types in bottles with water and you can see the various particle sizes and densities. It’s such a tremendous visual for the kids to see and apply to the concepts they are learning. There are so many great lessons and activities to use in the Elementary Curriculum.

Darci Pesek
Nebraska Extension Educator

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