i2E Sustainable Farming
Build a micro greenhouse, code a micro:bit to monitor and control conditions, and grow microgreens – an insight into sustainable farming.
The Neon quality mark shows this activity has been reviewed and meets Neon's quality standards.
Overview
With a sustainability focus, pupils are introduced to the urban farming movement. This brings crops into our towns and cities, repurposing underutilised urban spaces, reducing food miles and connecting people to the food they eat within their communities.
They are encouraged to think about how the choices they make directly impact the world around them. They also consider how technology, in the form of controlled environment farming, can bring about new ideas and new approaches. They are introduced to microgreens as an increasingly popular crop choice that is particularly suited to anything from a windowsill to large scale commercial production. The microgreens are fast growing allowing them to witness the full growing cycle from seed to plate in 7 to 10 days.
Pupils assemble the physical indoor greenhouse from a kit of parts, fitting it with various electronic components. Pupils use Microsoft MakeCode to block code sensors and actuators. They allow pupils to collect environmental data whilst their greenhouse automatically responds to the needs of their crop.
Throughout the workshop pupils are assigned roles within their teams. This encourages them to think about their skills and how these might relate to future career aspirations or opportunities in STEM.
Location and cost
Available to classes of 5 to 30 students, in primary schools in Wales.
£749.
Details
- School subject
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- Technology/computing
- Curriculum links
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- England primary science curriculum: Living things and their habitats
- Scotland primary science curriculum: Sciences
- Northern Ireland primary science curriculum: Science and technology
- Wales primary science curriculum : The world around us
- Biology: Structure and function of living organisms
- Sciences - Planet earth: Biodiversity and interdependence
- Biology
- Sciences - Organisms and health: Interdependence of plants and animals
- Group size
- Small groups
- Participation level
- Hands-on
- Duration
- Multi-session - flexible
- Cost
- Cost applies
- Location
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In-school
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Conwy
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Isle of Anglesey
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- The Vale of Glamorgan
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Wrexham
Learning outcomes
- Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
- Attainment and progress
- Learning what the engineering workplace is like
- Develop engineering employability skills
- Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
- Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering
Frameworks
EqualEx
- Introduce and Inspire
- Investigate and Explore
Essential skills
The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:
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Enrichment framework
- 5 - An accessible and engagement enrichment offer
- 7 - An outcomes-focused enrichment offer
