Launch
Launch
Students will investigate a soil garden and a simple water garden, ask what plants need, and begin the project by naming caring, safe, and environmentally helpful actions they will use as they work toward building a hydroponic garden.
Days 1 - 2
Explore & Define
Explore & Define
Students will observe simple water-based growing setups, compare what helps plants grow, and define a class design brief for a hydroponic garden. They will use evidence from observations, pictures, and partner talk to name plant needs, environmental care choices, safe routines, and teamwork expectations before moving into building.
Days 3 - 7
Choose & Prototype
Choose & Prototype
Students will compare simple hydroponic design ideas, choose a class plan using visible criteria, build a first working water garden prototype, and complete an early care-and-observe cycle with feedback and revision.
Days 8 - 12
Test & Improve
Test & Improve
Students will use observation evidence from their hydroponic systems to decide what to improve, make one targeted change that supports plant growth while saving water, retest with the same simple measures, and prepare for a small garden showcase where they explain what they learned and how they helped their plant grow.
Days 13 - 16
Showcase
Showcase
Students will present their hydroponic garden systems to visitors, explain how their design helped a plant grow using water and light, and share how their care choices supported the environment, safety, and teamwork.
Days 17 - 18
Launch
Days 1–2
Day 1
π± Mystery Garden Notice & Wonder
Launch
35m
Day 2
π οΈ Plant Needs Sort & Care Plan
Knowledge/Skill Building
35m
Explore & Define
Days 3–7
Day 3
π Root and Water Look Closely
Knowledge/Skill Building
35m
Day 4
π§ Help or Hurt Garden Sort
Knowledge/Skill Building
35m
Day 5
π οΈ Three Garden Ideas Compare
Research
35m
Day 6
π Our Garden Rules Poster
Deliverable
35m
Day 7
π€ Design Brief Check Talk
Assessment
35m
Choose & Prototype
Days 8–12
Day 8
π§ Hydroponic Idea Sort
Knowledge/Skill Building
30m
Day 9
π³οΈ Garden Plan Vote Chart
Deliverable
35m
Day 10
π οΈ Cup Garden Build Steps
Project Work
35m
Day 11
π Care Check Feedback Round
Project Work
40m
Day 12
π First Prototype Checkpoint
Assessment
30m
Test & Improve
Days 13–16
Day 13
π Growth Evidence Design Review
Knowledge/Skill Building
30m
Day 14
π οΈ Hydroponic Fix and Retest
Project Work
35m
Day 15
ποΈ Garden Talk Cards
Deliverable
35m
Day 16
π± Little Growers Mini Showcase
Assessment
35m
Showcase
Days 17–18
Day 17
π£οΈ Gallery Talk Practice
Deliverable
30m
Day 18
π± Little Growers Gallery
Assessment
35m
September 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
28
Day 1
Launch
π± Mystery Garden Notice & Wonder
29
Day 2
π οΈ Plant Needs Sort & Care Plan
30
Day 3
Explore & Define
π Root and Water Look Closely
October 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
5
Day 4
π§ Help or Hurt Garden Sort
6
Day 5
π οΈ Three Garden Ideas Compare
7
Day 6
π Our Garden Rules Poster
12
Day 7
π€ Design Brief Check Talk
13
Day 8
Choose & Prototype
π§ Hydroponic Idea Sort
14
Day 9
π³οΈ Garden Plan Vote Chart
19
Day 10
π οΈ Cup Garden Build Steps
20
Day 11
π Care Check Feedback Round
21
Day 12
π First Prototype Checkpoint
26
Day 13
Test & Improve
π Growth Evidence Design Review
27
Day 14
π οΈ Hydroponic Fix and Retest
28
Day 15
ποΈ Garden Talk Cards
November 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
2
Day 16
π± Little Growers Mini Showcase
3
Day 17
Showcase
π£οΈ Gallery Talk Practice
4
Day 18
π± Little Growers Gallery