Unit Overview

Youth use the Engineering Design Process to design a vertical farm that can help feed a community.

  • Grades 6–8
  • Setting: Out of school
  • Science connection: Needs of living things
  • 8 activities
  • 50–60 Minutes per activity

Standards alignment

We’ve developed each EiE unit with careful attention to educational standards in both science and technology/engineering. View Standards Alignments.

Unit Map

Youth are introduced to engineering as they work in teams to engineer a tower that can support a container of water.

Youth explore a definition of technology and are introduced to vertical farms and the idea that they will work to engineer a model vertical farm for a place called Greentown.

Youth engineer a window garden from recycled bottles.

Youth engineer a water pump system that can deliver water to different locations.

Youth design a lighting system to direct light to a specified area.

Youth are introduced to their final design challenge: creating a room of a vertical farm for Greentown.

Groups test and improve their vertical farm rooms.

Youth communicate their work to the Greentown City Council.

Videos

Special Report Video

Youth will explore food production problems related to population growth. (9:53)

What's Included?

  • Educator Guide (PDF)
  • Engineering Journal (PDF)
  • Special Report Video (YouTube)
  • Print Materials (PDF)