In their earliest school years, children are exploring how the world around them works. Learning about plants and their importance in our environment is a central concept for them to grasp. This early knowledge provides a foundation for respecting plant life in both our wild and cultivated spaces. It is a starting point for understanding how the elements in an ecosystem work together and cultivating empathy for all life.

‍Discovering Through Hydroponics includes basic how-to information for growing plants hydroponically in your classroom; lesson plans to help students learn the basics of plant needs, plant parts and their functions, and plant life cycles from seed to seed through hands-on investigations; construction plans for simple hydroponic setups; and additional reference materials to support your endeavors. These lessons are designed to align with kindergarten through second grade Next Generation Science Standards; however, they can be adapted for both younger and older students and those with different abilities. The lessons are sequenced so that each topic builds upon the previous topics but the activities can also be used independently, in any order. This guide is complimentary to Exploring Hydroponics: A Classroom Guide targeting third through fifth grade.