In Search of Essential Nutrients

Students will explore the meaning of essential nutrients. They will use periodic tables to compare the elements that are essential to people and plants. Students will make predictions as to where the environment plants obtain each of their essential elements. After completing this lesson, students will be able to define an essential element; compare and contrast the essential nutrient requirements of plants and humans; explain why plants cannot use elemental nitrogen found in the atmosphere; and identify the sources for each essential nutrient needed by plants.

The Growers’ Academy is a sixteen-week course which includes classes on topics such as soil preparation, nutrition, and community responsibility. Each class includes a 45-minute classroom lesson and 45 minutes working in the Center’s new Community Garden. The Growers’ Academy and Community Garden are sponsored and fully funded by our partners, CF Industries.