Meeker students learn to make their own chia pets

RBC I Last week, Meeker 4-H Program Coordinator Carley Smith visited Kay Bivens’ library class at Meeker Elementary School to present a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) activity to pre-school students through fifth graders, focusing on science by having the kids make their own chia pets.

Chia pets are planters that sprout chia seeds as grass “hair” in terra cotta figurines. The elementary school students made chia pet replicas out of pantyhose by stuffing the cut up hose with grass seed, soil and saw dust.
The students then decorated their planters, watered their chia pets and brought them to their classrooms to watch them sprout and record their observations.

Details were noted like which chia pet sprouted first, and whether they noticed a difference between the sock colors and timing of the sprouts?
Students made the connection that the darker-colored socks attracted more sunlight and thus sprouted first.
The students not only learned about the science behind gardening but also discussed upcoming Earth Day and Arbor Day. They also learned the importance of recycling and how to make compost.

Bivens shared a sample of healthy compost from her backyard and explained the scientific benefits of using compost as topsoil.