Build Your Own Hydroponic System

As a middle school engineering teacher, I can’t say enough good things about the STEM101 hydroponics kits. These kits have been an absolute game-changer in my classroom. From day one, my students take full ownership of the system, monitoring water levels, checking plant growth, adjusting lighting, and troubleshooting issues on their own. The responsibility they show is incredible, and it’s amazing to watch them genuinely care about making sure their plants thrive.

What I love most is how naturally these kits connect science, responsibility, and real-world problem solving. My students aren’t just learning how plants grow - they’re learning about sustainable agriculture, food systems, and how technology can solve real environmental challenges. The engagement level is off the charts. Students who don’t always speak up in class suddenly become the “experts,” excited to share updates and observations with their peers. Then, some of the students who are perfectionists find that it isn't always as easy as it may seem... especially when their plant is not growing as quickly as their peers.

The STEM101 hydroponics kits are hands-on, meaningful, and empowering. They promote teamwork, critical thinking, and independence while making learning fun and relevant. If you’re a teacher looking for an authentic, student-driven STEM experience that actually sticks, this is it. I would 100% recommend these kits to any classroom—my students LOVE them, and so do I!

Our school is fortunate enough to have been awarded a grant to build a greenhouse. Our students propagate and take care of plants all year to prepare for a plant sale. The proceeds of that sale go right back into the greenhouse and go towards materials like sitting spaces for students to do small group work. This kit was a great addition to our school because it was an individual way for students to see what the greenhouse and our larger grow towers are doing and increased the accountability because the student needs to remember to give their plant nutrients and complete the water changes. We have LOVED this addition in our building!

I did this project with my 8yo and he loved it! He thought it was incredible that we didn't need a window/ the sun and that the grow light, nutrient, and water was all the plant needed!

STEM 101 Hydroponics has been a powerful hands-on learning experience for our students. They were excited to watch plants grow from seeds while learning how light supports plant growth through photosynthesis. Students were especially engaged as they discovered that plants do not need soil to grow, challenging their prior assumptions and deepening their understanding of how water, nutrients, and light work together to support healthy plant development.