Grow24 is a cross-curricular competition aimed at primary students which focuses on their connection with nature and sustainability.
Pupils will develop their skills across six modules, learning about agriculture, nature and food. It culminates in them creating a final project that could win them a life-changing five-day residential trip to a Farms for City Children farm.
Schools can sign up for the free project, a collaboration between the charity and education company 8billionideas, and either incorporate the lessons into a single day of fun project-based learning, or embed them on a weekly basis.
The project for Key Stage 2: Creating a sustainable farm
Students will design and build a prototype of a sustainable farm, using their new knowledge and recyclable materials.
1. Welcome: Get excited about what’s on the horizon as you’re introduced to 8billionideas and Farms For City Children.
2. Beyond Old McDonald: Explore real-life agriculture. What are modern farmers like? Could they look like you? What jobs are involved?
3. Solve It: Farming To Feed: Engage with the problems of feeding everyone with farms and getting inspired about the solutions
4. Farms Of The Future: Dive into how modern farms look to the future with technology and sustainable inventions.
5. Let’s Design: Sketch a plan for your sustainable farm. Take inspiration from all you’ve explored, and build your prototype.
6. Showcase: Showcase your learning and our world-changing inventions for the chance to win a trip to the farm!
About Farms for City Children
The charity enables children from disadvantaged communities to experience the adventure of working together on its farms in the heart of the British countryside.
Founded by Lady Clare and Sir Michael Morpurgo, Farms for City Children has welcomed more than 100,000 children to one of its farms - Nethercott House in Devon, Lower Treginnis in Pembrokeshire and Wick Court in Gloucestershire, since it began in 1976.
The project for Key Stage 1: Inventing city-dwellers
Students will come up with their own original ideas to encourage urban dwellers to connect with the natural world. The different sessions include:
1. Welcome: Get excited about what’s to come and an introduction to 8billionideas and Farms For City Children.
2. Where Food Comes From: Animals: Understand animal products, where they come from, and how we can make sustainable choices.
3. Where Food Comes From: Plants: Let’s demystify what fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains are, and how to choose wisely.
4. Happy And Green: Explore how nature is essential to human happiness, and how we can ensure everyone has access to it.
5. Let’s Create: Put your learning into creating an invention that helps city dwellers engage with the natural world.
6. Showcase: Showcase your learning and your world-changing inventions for the chance to win a trip to the farm.
Once the students have finalised their projects, schools can submit them for review by 8billionideas and Farms for City Children who will decide on the winners based on their creativity, innovation and potential impact.
Find out more about Grow24 here.
