A 2023 report showed 62% percent of students said they were interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers in areas such as biotechnology, AI, financial technology, quantum computing, and more. However, 33% of students said their school is doing a “poor job” of preparing them for these types of STEM careers.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all way of learning, it’s clear that there are opportunities to engage our students with STEM concepts and opportunities. As your school looks for creative ways to support STEM learning and future career readiness, a school garden or hydroponics program could be a key investment.
While a garden may not be the first thing you think of when you think of STEM careers, school gardens and hydroponic gardening (growing plants without soil) offers a hands-on, interactive way for students to explore scientific principles, develop critical thinking skills, and engage with the latest technologies.
Science: Understanding Plant Growth & Ecosystems
By allowing students to monitor plants and see growth in real time, hydroponics and school gardens transform science and biology lessons from abstract textbook concepts into tangible, measurable experiments. School gardens don’t just help students grasp biology; they also introduce students to solutions for global challenges like food security, climate change, and sustainable agriculture.
The connection between gardening and science is a natural one. Hydroponics and school garden programs offer a powerful tool to bring scientific concepts like plant biology, ecosystems, and sustainability to life in the classroom, including:
- Photosynthesis – Students can see how plants absorb light and convert it into energy, with opportunities to manipulate light sources and measure growth rates.
- Root Systems & Nutrient Uptake – In a hydroponic setup, roots are directly exposed to water and nutrients, allowing students to see and understand how plants absorb essential minerals.
- Plant Life Cycles – Students can study germination, growth stages, and even plant reproduction.
Taking those concepts further, you can guide your students through scientific experiments, such as comparing hydroponic systems with soil-based gardening, examining water quality or tracking growth rate and yield.
By making scientific inquiry a key part of gardening, students gain critical thinking skills as they design and conduct experiments—just like real-world scientists. These skills are the foundation needed to solve real-world environmental and agricultural challenges.
Technology: Using Tools & Data to Optimize Growth
School gardens and hydroponic programs open the door for students to learn about the technological advancements that are shaping the future of food production, environmental science, sustainability, and more — and experience that technology first-hand.
Hydroponics and school garden programs provide hands-on opportunities for students to explore technologically advanced tools, automation, and data analysis, including:
- Sensors – Students can use digital sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, pH, nutrient levels, and other variables, helping them understand how environmental conditions impact plant health.
- Data Collection & Analysis – By tracking plant growth and environmental factors over time, students can graph trends, analyze data sets, and make predictions—critical skills for future scientists and engineers.
- App-Based Tracking: Designing and using different apps can help students track plant health, adjust watering schedules, or even plan an optimized garden layout.
By integrating technology into gardening, students develop problem-solving skills that are essential for modern STEM careers. These experiences lay the foundation for future innovations in sustainable agriculture, urban farming, environmental conservation, and so much more.
Engineering: Designing & Building Hydroponic Systems
Gardening isn’t just about growing plants—it’s about designing solutions. Students can take on the role of engineers in the garden—learning to optimize structures, manage resources efficiently, and troubleshoot real-world challenges in agricultural technology.
School gardens and hydroponics allow students to explore design, mechanics, and sustainability principles while constructing functional growing systems. By building different types of hydroponic systems, students engage in engineering design thinking, where they:
- Plan & Prototype – Design hydroponic or garden setups based on the available materials, space, and plant needs.
- Construct & Test – Assemble irrigation tools or hydroponic systems using PVC pipes, pumps, reservoirs, and grow trays.
- Problem-Solve & Optimize – Identify key issues like leaks, poor water flow, or inefficient light and refine their designs.
Like professional engineers, students must consider multiple factors when designing hydroponic systems, from structural integrity to water and energy efficiency. These hands-on experiences encourage students to think critically, make design improvements, and apply engineering concepts in real time.
Math: Calculations & Problem-Solving in Gardening
Hydroponics and gardening can make abstract numbers seem a little more concrete. Whether they’re calculating nutrient concentrations, tracking plant growth, or optimizing environmental conditions, school gardens allow students to see math in action.
As students engage with real-world calculations related to measurement, ratios, proportions, and data analysis. These activities give students a sense of ownership over their learning and demonstrate how math is used beyond the classroom.
- Measuring: As students measure plant growth, track water usage, or mix nutrient-based solutions, they are introduced to different measurements like grams, ounces, inches, etc. and mathematical concepts like ratios and proportions.
- Solving Variables & Equations: Students can compare the effects of different nutrients, light levels, or pH adjustments on plant growth and calculate the differences or make predictions for future growth.
- Graphing & Patterns: By tracking plant growth over time, students develop skills in graphing, pattern recognition, and data-driven decision-making. They can measure plant height, leaf count, or root development over time, then plot the data to visualize trends.
- Shapes & Design: As they create garden plots and design what the garden set-up should look like, they can explore shapes, sizes, design, and other geometric principles.
By engaging in these exercises, students gain experience with data interpretation, statistical analysis, and critical thinking—key math skills used in scientific research and engineering fields.
Bringing STEM to Life in Your Classroom
School gardens and hydroponics offer a dynamic and flexible approach to STEM education that is easy to adapt for students of all ages and skill levels. Whether through a small classroom system or a full-scale outdoor school garden, these experiences encourage curiosity, collaboration, and a deeper appreciation for the role of science and technology in everyday life.
If you’re ready to explore STEM gardening at your school, Green Our Planet is here to help. Our accredited GardenConnect and HydroConnect programs make it easy to bring STEM concepts to life in the classroom with guided curriculum, materials, and ongoing support.
Schedule a free 20-minute webinar to learn why more than 500,000 students and 1,200 schools already use Green Our Planet to support STEM curriculum.
