NextWave STEM: Plants and Hydroponics

Part of the broader NextWaveSTEM curriculum catalogue, the Plants and Hydroponics programme introduces pupils to soil-less growing techniques, plant life cycles, nutrient management, and the science behind sustainable food production. The programme combines practical experimentation with classroom-based lessons, allowing students to construct and maintain small-scale hydroponic systems while studying topics such as photosynthesis, water chemistry, and environmental science.

Lesson materials are aligned with STEAM and Career and Technical Education (CTE) frameworks and are designed for use in classroom, online, or hybrid delivery formats. The programme is supplied with teacher resources, lesson plans, and professional development support, including training to help educators deliver the content without requiring prior expertise in horticulture or hydroponics.

Schools and districts using the programme typically integrate it into science, agriculture, or sustainability units, and the curriculum is positioned for use across primary and secondary year groups. NextWaveSTEM provides associated equipment kits and ongoing curriculum updates, and the materials form part of a wider library of emerging-technology programmes covering areas such as robotics, drones, 3D printing, and renewable energy.