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12-10-20 — Engineers Donate Science Project for Remote Learners
Dec. 10, 2020 ~ Second grade students taking part in the remote learning option this semester were given the chance to get their hands dirty and see if they had a green thumb, thanks to seed kits donated by Kiewit Engineering Group. The firm donated hundreds of pumpkin seed kits with everything needed except water and the enthusiasm of a second grader.
A Manchester Park Elementary parent connected with her principal, and in turn district Science Coordinator Julie Miller because Kiewit wanted to give back to children during the pandemic.
“This aligned with second grade curriculum and it was an easy way to get hands-on materials to students at home,” Julie Miller said. “We are so appreciative of this group of engineers taking their time to create hands-on, engaging activities for our students.”
The kits included two containers, two types of soil, pumpkin seeds, instructions, and a journal for recording what the students observed.
“The students are sending pictures via Seesaw, and we are also taking about five minutes of our afternoon to water our cups and write in our Pumpkin Plant journals,” said remote learning teacher Bianca Miller of Madison Place Elementary. The cups were treated the same, except for the difference in soil. She and her students talked about how more sunlight would have impacted the plants, and one student suggested that amounts of water might vary between students.
“The seeds sprouted quickly and grew daily until they reached about 16-17 centimeters tall,” said remote learning teacher Amber Shelton of Washington Elementary. “We were able to use our measurement skills from the math module we just finished, and we compared the growth rate of the two plants.”
Whether the seeds sprouted and grew large enough to be transplanted, or struggled to break through the soil, Bianca Miller and her students continue talking about what they observed.
“I also hope to use this project once we reach the plant portion of our science curriculum,” Bianca Miller said.
Shelton’s students are already looking forward to her plant unit in April.
Both teachers were able to add a social element to their experiment. Bianca Miller gave each student a “Flat Mrs. Miller” to include in photos they submitted.
“It is a way for us to feel close even when we are far apart,” she said.
“Students spent a few minutes many mornings in breakout rooms talking about their plants,” Shelton said. “They were very excited to share with each other!
“It was a wonderful opportunity for us to do something hands on together, which is often a struggle in the virtual environment,” she added. “The entire process was a refreshing experience for us all.”
Pumpkin Seed Kit Project






