Chesterfield Students Learn Earth Science by Growing Plants

At Chesterfield Elementary, fifth-grade students learn about earth science and the life cycle of plants by sowing, cultivating and growing plants in their classrooms for a Mother’s Day sale in May.

This year, the students have been so successful that they’re opening up some of their yield early to fifth-grade families, for an April 16 sale in advance of Earth Day on April 22.

“We’re not just doing a one-time Earth Day experience. We are living it,” said fifth-grade teacher Mitzy Baker, who is facilitating the project. “It is giving our school community plants that they will grow for months and be able to provide food for them that will also minimize their carbon footprint.”

The students have used the greenhouse in Baker’s room to grow four types of tomatoes – Brandywine, beefsteak, Chocolate cherry and Jelly Bean cherry – as well as sweet basil plants.

The sale proceeds are used to purchase materials for the next school year’s sale, with any additional funds going to a charity of the students’ choice. Last year, the students earned $346 from their plants, and they’re hoping to exceed that total this spring.

The students have already sold 130 plants in their Earth Day pre-sale.

“It’s cool to see how life can come from a little seed,” said Ben, a fifth-grader. “It’s fun watching them grow.”

The students began to learn about the biosphere and sustainability during their science lessons leading up to spring break. Now, in the final quarter of the school year, they are learning about how the sun provides energy and how food grows.

The students have also learned about composting through a grant from the Missouri Botanical Garden. Each fifth-grade class has its own worm squad to care for.

“The students bring them food, we learned all about them, and then the worms help with the plant matter and different things. Eventually, we’ll use what they make and put it back into the soil to rejuvenate it,” Baker said. “We’re taking the district curriculum and making it hands-on. We were already growing our plants before fourth quarter hit, so it has made the science more connected because we were already doing those things.”

Jack, another fifth-grader, said he has been interested to explore hydroponics and how plants can grow without soil, and classmate Addison has enjoyed experimenting with different light and water levels to see how well the plants grow.

Each student has their own set of takeaways from engaging with this project.

“One thing I learned from this is you have to be gentle with the plants, or else they may not grow,” said Ranjeev. “I really like that it’s a life skill you can always learn and then, maybe, if you want to plant some plants and don’t want to buy any from the store, you can plant a tomato and just grow it.”

Most of all, the students feel a sense of accomplishment from seeing their hard work pay off.

"I like to see how a little seed can turn into a big plant with just a little care," Elia said. "You don’t have to do too much and have a big garden. You can just have one plant, and that makes a big difference.”