-p-1080.jpg)
As summer sets in, many schools transition into seasonal programming like summer school, STEM camps, or year-round educational models. These programs are golden opportunities to turn your school garden (traditional outdoor garden or indoor hydroponic) into a vibrant, hands-on STEM classroom.
With the right activities, your students can dig into real-world challenges and explore key STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) concepts that will serve them well in their future careers and endeavors. Let’s explore a variety of engaging, standards-aligned Garden STEM activities that are perfect for the summer season.
1. Sunlight vs. Shade Growth Comparisons
Help students understand photosynthesis and light dependency by comparing plants grown in the shade versus a sunny spot.
Plant the same type of seeds (radish or leafy greens are great plants for school gardens) in two different locations. One area should get full sunlight, the other should be full or partial shade.
Then, have your students observe differences in growth, color, and leaf size. They’ll be able to learn about photosynthesis, data collection, and experimental design by tracking changes in a garden journal throughout the summer.
2. Dissect a Flower
Teach students about plant reproduction, life cycles, and different parts of a plant through dissection.
Use flowers from your school garden to guide a hands-on lesson. Have students identify and label key parts of the plant, like the stamen, pistil, and petals. They can also observe the plants under a microscope to see what’s happening at a cellular level.
3. pH Testing & Nutrient Balance
Learn how pH and nutrient levels affect plant growth through targeted testing in your classroom.
Using a hydroponic setup, students test the pH and adjust nutrient solutions. As they do the testing, your students can record how plant health changes with each variable.
This is a great opportunity to learn about key chemistry concepts like pH, as well as practice core concepts like scientific measurement and controlled experiments.
4. Soil Health Investigation
Examine what makes soil healthy by allowing kids to get their hands dirty and explore the dirt.
Collect soil samples from different areas of the garden and test for composition (sand, silt, clay), pH, and organic matter. Discuss which conditions are ideal for growth for the different types of plants you’re growing.
This soil health experiment can easily tie into bigger discussions about local agriculture and environmental or climate concerns.
5. Pollinator Population Tracker
Help your students understand ecosystems and biodiversity by tracking pollinators, insects, and other animals in the garden.
Set up key observation zones near flowering plants. A bench, picnic table, or lawn chair can work well. Your students can spend time observing bee and butterfly visits over time, logging species, frequency, and behavior as they go.
This is a great way to teach students of all ages how ecosystems work and thrive together.
6. Rainwater System Design
Tie in engineering and technology concepts by working with your students to build a sustainable watering solution for the garden.
Teach students to design and build a small-scale rainwater collection system. Encourage them to get creative with recycled materials like gutters, barrels, and piping.
Connect this engineering project to real-world solutions surrounding water conservation and sustainability.
7. Garden Structures
Explore mechanical and engineering skills by building a variety of different garden structures.
Teach students how to build basic garden structures like trellises, compost bin frames, or plant towers. This provides opportunities to learn about levers and pulleys and use key mathematical concepts as they calculate angles and other measurements.
It’s also a great lesson in teamwork, as they’ll have to work together to successfully build the structures.
8. Build a Solar Oven
Harness the power of the sun and teach kids about solar energy in your school garden using solar boxes or ovens.
To construct simple solar ovens, all you need is boxes, foil, and plastic wrap. Use them to warm seeds or test how heat affects plant samples. It’s a great opportunity for young scientists to explore core concepts around renewable energy and thermodynamics.
9. Garden Mapping
Integrate geometry and technology into your school garden lessons by mapping the garden and planning its design.
Use measuring tapes or GPS apps to map out your garden beds or different gardens. Your students can then create scaled blueprints and calculate area, perimeter, and ideal planting density.
For some extra fun, consider a treasure hunt where they follow the map to hidden items in the garden.
10. LED Light Spectrum Investigation
Examine how light color impacts growth in your hydroponic garden with a special lesson involving LED grow lights.
Use LED grow lights with varying spectra (red, blue, white) and grow the same type of plant under each. Have your students document key differences and how the light impacts growth.
Tips for Getting the Most Out Of Your Garden This Summer
Many schools see less traffic during the summer months, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most out of your school garden. Here are some ways to bring your STEM garden ideas to life and ensure your garden thrives all summer.
Involve the Community
Summer is the time when garden and nature enthusiasts thrive. Local gardening clubs may jump at the opportunity to support your school garden by helping with summer maintenance, hosting events, or serving as a guest teacher to your students. Daycares, homeschool groups, and other community organizations might also be interested in garden STEM lessons throughout the summer months.
Encourage Collaboration
Summer is the perfect time to foster collaboration between different grade levels, schools, and classes. Consider pairing older and younger students for mentorship and teamwork opportunities or having different schools, teams, or classes partner up on activities for cross-curricular learning.
Document Learning
Encourage students to keep science journals, and take photos. You can then present findings in an end-of-summer showcase for families and community members to attend. This will help build confidence among your students and build awareness and excitement for future activities.
Plan for Summer Heat
Students will be able to focus and get the most out of each lesson if they are cool, safe, and comfortable. If you’re hosting garden lessons outside, be sure to plan for the summer heat. It’s always good to keep plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray on hand. We also recommend finding a shady spot nearby to discuss core STEM concepts in depth, rather than standing in the sun.
Bring Your Summer Garden STEM Activities to Life with Green Our Planet
Gardens are more than green spaces—they're dynamic STEM laboratories. By offering fun garden activities during the summer through classes, camps, and extracurricular opportunities, educators can continue to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders all season long.
Green Our Planet is here for you throughout the summer and into the next school year. Our STEMworks accredited GardenConnect and HydroConnect programs include everything your school needs to support hands-on learning, both in outdoor gardens and with indoor hydroponic garden setups.
