Grow Lab Program
Students and teachers love this inquiry based, hands-on science program. Created for 2nd grade classrooms in 2001, the Grow Lab Program is designed around the Wisconsin Fast Plant, which matures from seed to seed in 40 days. Each student plants their own plant and learns about plant parts, germination, flowering, pollination, fruit development, and seed dispersal. The Grow Lab Program is FREE to Utah’s 2nd grade teachers in public and charter schools. The program includes a teacher workshop, a grow lab light frame kit, planting materials and Wisconsin Fast Plant seeds, a seven lesson curriculum, materials for hands-on activities, a classroom plant poster, a classroom visit, and ongoing support. Materials, supplies, and staff time are valued at over $500.
Teacher Workshops
Teachers are required to attend one four-hour workshop. Workshops are typically held at Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City, but can be held closer to your school if you are in central or southern Utah. Registration is required, and the workshop is free. Principals and District Science Coordinators are invited to attend. Please call Nick Rothacher at (801) 581-7230 or email education@redbutte.utah.edu to reserve a spot.
2nd Grade Lesson Plans and Materials
This seven-lesson curriculum is designed to teach segments of Utah’s new integrated core curriculum in science, language art, math, and visual arts. Activities are for inquiry based, hands-on teaching and learning.
The curriculum is given to the teachers at the teacher workshop. Every teacher who attends the workshop and arranges for a classroom visit will receive all the supplies and materials needed to teach the lessons the first year. Many of the materials can be used annually.
Classroom Visit
A staff member of Red Butte Garden comes to your classroom, teaches the first lesson on seed structure and germination, and plants the Wisconsin Fast Plant seeds with the students. The lesson is 90 minutes long.
Teacher Commitment
Teachers should be ready to have fun! Students love studying the plant that they have grown from seed, and this program makes it easy! Teachers are required to attend the workshop, assist the Red Butte Garden staff member during the classroom visit, complete the lesson plan, and continue to use the Grow Lab year after year. Because the lesson plans are designed around the growth cycle of the Wisconsin Fast Plants, the lessons must be completed in sequential order within the 40-day time period. Teachers are also required to complete a program evaluation after their first year.
To get this program started in your classroom or to give us feedback about the program, please contact, Nick Rothacher, the School Programs Manager at 801-581-7230 or e-mail education@redbutte.utah.edu
