As recently reported in Education Week, experts urge an earlier start to teaching science.  Three years ago, when a task force of the congressionally chartered National Research Council issued influential recommendations for improving K-8 science education, it also made a pitch for introducing scientific study even before the start of formal schooling, with children as young as 4.
 
Building on the natural curiosity of preschoolers about the world around them, EarthBox® Early Learning Site Packs bring science to life with hands-on, cross-curricula lesson plans that let students experience the life cycle of a plant and ecology!  Preschool students grow plants from seeds in their classroom to learn about the life cycle and the interconnectivity of plants, light, water, soil and nutrition. (Sample lesson plan.)  The EarthBox® minimizes many of the challenges of growing plants indoors. Simply choose what you want to grow (seeds/seedlings not included), plant in this revolutionary box and observe science at work! 
 
The unique design of the Earth Box is just the beginning of science at work for this self-contained growing system! The black screen at the bottom serves a very important function. Not only does it keep the potting mix from falling into the water reservoir, but it also holds the potting mix far enough above the water to allow space for air. The roots of a plant need air, and this is where they get it. Water only comes into contact with the potting mix in two places — the two square holes in the corners of the screen. The potting mix falls into these holes and fills them up. Earth Boxes aren't watered the same way plants in a garden are watered. Instead of watering from above, they are watered from below by pouring water into the watering tube. This tube leads directly to the water reservoir. The overflow hole in the side of the Earth Box prevents the addition of too much water, this hole makes it impossible to over water the plants in an Earth Box. The potting mix in the two corners acts as a wick and become saturated with water. Water then moves up through the dry potting mix by the principle of capillary action. When a plant absorbs water from the potting mix, more water is pulled up from the reservoir. As long as the reservoir is kept full, the plant will always have the proper amount of water. During the set up of the Earth Box, fertilizer is placed on top of the potting mix. Just like water is pulled from the reservoir as the plants need it, fertilizer is pulled from the top of the potting mix. The plastic cover that comes with your kit is another important feature. It keeps rain out, helps prevent evaporation, helps keep insects and other pests out of the potting mix and prevents weeds from growing in the Earth Box.
 
The EarthBox® Early Learning Site Pack includes one Ready-to-Grow Kit and five plant-related, age appropriate activities to introduce young children to the wonder of science and life by planting and watching plants grow in EarthBoxes. (Pre-K - Grade One Table of Contents.)  All site packages are three hole-punched and include permission to make unlimited on-site copies of student materials. Seeds or seedlings do not come with the package, but both grow equally well in the EarthBox.