From seed to sprout, Lesson 1

Learning outcomes

• Students can identify a seed, a sprout, and a true-leaf stage.
• Students can describe the role of water, light, and air in germination.
• Students can record an observation in their Harvest Journal using simple drawings + 3 measurements.
• Students will articulate one connection between food and nature before the next session.

What you'll need (provided in the OMG Lab kit)

Everything below is included with the lab, you don't need to source anything separately.

• 1 growing tray with coir substrate
• 1 packet of mustard or radish seeds
• 1 spray bottle of water
• 1 wooden ruler (per pair)
• Harvest Journal (printed)
• 1 magnifying glass (per group)

Lesson flow

1. Wake the seed (10 min). Soak the seeds in warm water. Have students record what they notice.
2. Sow together (10 min). Sprinkle the soaked seeds evenly across the moist tray. Spray once. Cover lightly.
3. Predict (10 min). In their journals, each student draws what they think the tray will look like in 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours.
4. Story circle (10 min). Ask: "Where does food come from?" Listen to 3–4 student answers. No right or wrong , collect curiosity.
5. Take-home prompt (5 min). Each student asks one adult at home: "What's the oldest food memory you have?", and brings the answer to the next session.

Teacher notes

"Don't over-teach. The seed will do most of the work in the next 48 hours. Your job today is to plant curiosity, not knowledge."

Watch for: students who shy away from touching the seeds. Don't push, invite them to spray the water instead. Engagement will follow once the seeds visibly germinate.

Extension: ask advanced students to research and present one fact about microgreen nutrition before the next class.