Seed Growers: Growing Native Plants
The Seed Growers badge is an introduction for students to native plants and their growth. They will plan, build, and nurture their own growing spaces, learning how to collect seeds responsibly and create the ideal conditions for plants to thrive. Once their seeds sprout, students will plant native species in school grounds, sharing their new skills with the community, or creating guides to inspire others.
Badge goals
By the end of this activity, students will:
- Understand seed germination and plant growth
- Develop practical growing skills
- Recognise the importance of native plants
- Contribute to improving biodiversity in their school
When & Where to use this badge
This activity can be linked with Science / Biology (plant reproduction), Environmental Studies, and Design & Technology (building structures), but can be adapted by teachers across disciplines who wish to explore creative approaches to nature-based learning.
Teachers can adapt materials and scale depending on resources, while keeping the core flow: Plan → Build → Collect → Plant → Grow → Apply → Share
Steps to complete this badge
Step 1 – Plan & Prepare (10–15 minutes)
Review findings from ecosystem study (or introduce selected native plants). Discuss when seeds should be collected and conditions needed for germination. Students decide which plants to grow.
Step 2 – Build a Mini Greenhouse (60 minutes)
Students construct a simple growing structure. Options include bottle greenhouse, lean-to structure using sticks and plastic, or a covered tray system. Discuss how the structure helps retain heat and moisture.
Step 3 – Collect Seeds (Outdoor)
Students collect seeds from local plants (school grounds or natural areas). Emphasise responsible collection (small quantities only) and avoiding damage to plants or habitats. Students record location, type of plant, and environmental conditions.
Step 4 – Plant & Record (15–20 minutes)
Students fill containers with soil, plant seeds, and label with seed type, date planted, and location collected. They will also start a simple observation log.
Step 5 – Grow & Monitor (Ongoing)
Students water regularly, observe germination and growth, and record changes over time. Discuss which seeds grow successfully and what conditions affect growth.
Step 6 – Apply or Share (20–30 minutes)
Students use grown plants to plant in designated areas within the school and create a small native plant space. Add simple labels or information signs. Alternatively, students give plants to parents or community members, sell plants to support school greening, or create planting guides or instructions.
You can download these instructions in PDF by clicking here: Generate PDF
Resources & Equipment Needed
- Recycled plastic bottles / containers OR wooden sticks + plastic sheeting
- Soil / compost
- Collected seeds (local plants)
- Small pots or trays
- Labels / markers
- Watering can or spray bottle
- Basic gardening tools
Downloadable Material
No badge materials provided