Our Primary School Grade 2 classes worked on a particularly exciting project last semester: As part of the topic “Plants and plant growth”, a hydroponics system was set up so that the children could find out how plants grow. In conjunction with the lesson, the classes visited our BeyondClassrooms partner City Sprouts, a social enterprise that runs urban farming in several locations and offers educational programs on the topic. Our Deputy of Curriculum for Primary School, German Section, Max Matthias, tells us a bit more about the project.
What made you initiate this project?
The topic of “Plants and plant growth” was on the agenda in our subject general studies and we wanted to include the aspect of “global development” this year. Based on the usual cultivation on fields in Germany, the children thought about how a country like Singapore grows fruit and vegetables on a fairly small area and in a tropical climate. With the help of pictures of the Supertrees, the Treehouse Condo etc., the children finally came to the conclusion that, if the area is so small, fruit and vegetables could be grown vertically. The class teachers then presented examples of vertical farming as it is already practiced in Singapore. In order to establish a practical connection, we purchased a hydroponics system for the pod so that the students could try out the principle of vertical cultivation for themselves. The children grew peppermint and basil.
How were the students involved? Which tasks did/do they have?
Each child was given the opportunity to grow their own plant. They sowed the seeds in the planters themselves and documented the growth. As the hydroponics system has a light and irrigation system, the children only had to check the water level in the system and top up the water if necessary. As a result, the students quickly realized that the cultivation effort is significantly lower than in traditional agriculture.
What was it like for the children to harvest something that they planted themselves?
When the plants were big enough, the children took them home with them. Some pupils even put some peppermint leaves in their drinking bottles to freshen up their water.
How did you combine your visit to CitySprouts with this lesson?
To experience plant cultivation in Singapore first-hand, all classes visited Citysprouts. There they were able to experience large hydroponics and aquaponics systems and space-efficient cultivation in a small area. During the guided tour of the garden and the plant workshop, the students were able to impress the staff with the knowledge they had gained during the lesson. The children were also given an insight into composting. The classes experienced that plant cultivation is also possible in large cities between and even on top of high-rise buildings.
This project is just one of many at GESS that combines a teaching unit with practical relevance in “real life”, making what has been learned even more tangible (in this case with all the senses). This is exactly what makes our Beyond Classrooms programme so special and valuable.
