Objective: Creating art inspired by the growth and characteristics of microgreens growing at home or in the classroom.

This lesson blends science, nature, and artistic expression, engaging students in technical drawing and creative interpretation while fostering an appreciation for plant life. 🌱🎨

Materials Needed:

1. Microgreen Kit
2. Drawing paper
3. Watercolor paints or markers
4. Brushes and water cups
5. Magnifying glasses (optional, for closer observation)
6. Aprons or old shirts to protect clothing

Lesson Steps:

This lesson is designed to be taught in conjunction with the hands-on growing of microgreens.

Preparation:

• Plant a tray of microgreens 10 days before class begins.
• Prepare student kits, including water for rehydrating the coir discs.
• If using pea seeds, 6-12 hours before the lesson begins soak 1 oz of seed (approx. 1 heaping tablespoon) in a small cup for each student. Keep at least one seed per student unsoaked.
• Prepare to show photos included in this lesson.
• Prepare magnifying glasses or Fresnel lens, and art supplies
• If desired, print out a journal page for each student.

2. Introduction to Microgreens (15 minutes):
   • Show the pictures of different microgreens or the samples you have grown. 
   • Explain what microgreens are (young greens harvested just 10 days after planting). * photos included with this lesson
   • Using the photos, discuss different types of microgreens (e.g., broccoli, pea, radish, amaranth) and their colors, shapes, and sizes.
   • Explain how microgreens are grown, and their importance in nutrition.
3. Planting Microgreens (20 minutes):
   • Provide each child or group of children with a microgreen kit.
   • Demonstrate rehydrating the soil disc and planting the seeds.
   • Allow each child or group to plant their tray of microgreens. 
   • Do NOT cover the trays at this point. Pass out the magnifying glasses and an unsoaked seed.
4. Observation and Recording (30 minutes):
   • Use magnifying glasses to observe the planted seeds closely.
   • Pass out the unsoaked seeds and have students compare and contrast the soaked seed in their tray with the unsoaked seed.
   • Have children describe in writing what they see in their observation journals. Encourage them to notice details like seed size, color, and texture. 
   • Discuss the creation of texture in a drawing.
   • Ask students to draw both the soaked and unsoaked seeds in their journals.
5. Prepare microgreen trays to germinate (10 minutes)
   • Discuss the steps that will happen in the next few days, stressing the importance of the cover trays and weight used, and the fact that no water will be added during the next 3 days (until they are uncovered).
   • Talk about the trays and why they are not put into the sun during the germination process ( sun + black trays = excess heat that will kill the seeds).
   • Place the trays out of the sun in a secure spot where students can open them each day to observe growth.
6. Art Creation (30 minutes):  After planting, (or on Day 2)
   • Provide drawing paper and art supplies of your choice (black or colored pencils, watercolor paints, markers, etc.).
   • Encourage children to create artwork inspired by their seeds. Suggestions might be to draw their seeds growing into plants, imagine a tiny world where microgreens are giant trees, paint abstract patterns inspired by the colors, shapes, and textures of the seeds, turn their seeds into characters (use TiMM as an example if desired), or any other creative project using their seeds as inspiration.
7. Reflection and Sharing (10 minutes):
   • Gather children together to share their artwork.
   • Ask questions about what they enjoyed most about the lesson. What did they learn?
   • Discuss the connections between art and nature, and how their artwork reflects their new understanding of seeds.
   • NOTE: after the lesson is completed, replace the cover tray and weight on their microgreen trays until the third day.
8. Daily
   • Over the next three days, have students observe the germination and growth of the planted seeds.
   • Using magnifying glasses or microscopes, examine how the seeds are changing shape, including the tiny root structures.
   • Create a daily entry in their journal showing the change from day to day.
   • Teach techniques for scientific botanical sketching, including shading, cross-hatching, and labeling plant parts.

Extension Ideas for Older Students:

• Show examples of scientific botanical illustrations and how plants have inspired artists throughout history.
  • Introduce the concept of observation-based drawing (scientific sketching) and creative interpretation (abstract art).

Artistic Interpretation (40 minutes) – Creative Expression

• Shift from realism to creative abstraction.
• Encourage students to use their microgreens as inspiration for abstract art, experimenting with colors, patterns, and textures.
• They can create watercolor paintings, ink illustrations, or mixed-media pieces inspired by seeds, plant structures, growth cycles, or microscopic details.
• Help them to verbalize what they are doing with their artwork.

5. Reflection & Presentation – Sharing & Discussion

• Students present their sketches and artworks, explaining their creative choices. This is especially effective when students are invited to present to younger students.
• Discuss how science and art intersect in nature observation and how understanding plant structures enhances artistic skills.
• Encourage students to reflect on the processes of growing and observing plants as a creative tool.
• Photography & Digital Art: Have students take macro photos of their microgreens and edit them artistically.
• Time-Lapse Growth Study: Assign students to document the growth of their microgreens through a series of sketches or photos.
• Culinary Art: Explore the use of microgreens in food plating and edible art.

For Younger students:

• Cooking with Microgreens: If feasible, incorporate a simple snack or dish using microgreens to explore their taste and culinary uses. Take simple photos of their dishes.
• Outdoor Exploration: Take a nature walk to observe different plants and compare them with microgreens.
• Storytelling: Have children create short stories or poems about microgreens and illustrate them.

Additional information: Putting texture on a seed drawing

To draw the texture of a seed, closely observe its shape and surface details, then use techniques like stippling, hatching, or short, varied strokes to replicate the irregularities and patterns on its surface, considering the highlights and shadows to create depth and realism; depending on the seed type, you might draw small bumps, ridges, or even fine hairs to capture its unique texture. 

Key steps:

• Observe closely:
  Examine the seed with a magnifying glass to identify prominent features like ridges, bumps, grooves, or hairs. 
• Sketch the basic shape:
  Lightly sketch the seed’s overall form, considering its size and perspective. 
• Add texture with lines:
  • Stippling: Use small dots to create a dense, textured appearance. 
  • Hatching: Draw parallel lines close together, varying their pressure and direction to simulate depth. 
  • Cross-hatching: Layer hatching lines in different directions to build up density. 
  • Short, varied strokes: Use short, slightly curved lines that follow the seed’s contours. 
• Highlight and shadow:
  • Identify where light would hit the seed directly (highlight areas) and where shadows would fall. 
  • Use lighter pencil pressure for highlights and darker pressure for shadows to create dimension. 

Expand to additional seeds:

• Sunflower seed: Draw small, slightly curved ridges that spiral around the seed. 
• Pumpkin seed: Depict pronounced ridges with sharp edges, often with a pointed tip. 
• Poppy seed: Use tiny dots to represent the fine, almost granular texture. 
• Dandelion seed: Draw delicate, feathery hairs extending from a central point. 

Important points to remember:

• Vary your pressure: Don’t apply uniform pressure throughout the drawing. 
• Consider the seed type: Different seeds have unique textures, so research and observe carefully before drawing. 

Practice different techniques: Experiment with different drawing tools and techniques to find what works best for you.