Grades 3–12 (Kit)
Explore the diversity of corn—right at your fingertips! This kit allows students to plant five different types of corn seeds in the fingers of a food handler’s glove, creating a mini greenhouse they can observe as the seeds sprout. It’s a hands-on way to compare corn varieties, investigate plant growth, and highlight the importance of one of the world’s most versatile crops.
With just cotton, water, and a glove, students will see popcorn, Indian corn, field corn, sweet corn, and flour corn sprout in a matter of days. This engaging activity makes it easy to teach plant science, genetics, and agricultural diversity in an interactive way that students will remember.
Looking for a multi-seed version? Try the Farming in a Glove Kit.
Kit Contents
- 30 food handler’s gloves
- Cotton for seed sprouting
- Seed varieties:
- Popcorn
- Indian corn
- Field corn
- Sweet corn
- Flour corn
- Activity instructions
Additional Supplies
The following common classroom materials are needed to complete the activity and are not included in the kit:
- Permanent markers
- Tape
- Bowls of water
Lesson Plans
Use this kit with related lessons available on the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix.
Extend the Learning
Encourage students to compare how the five corn varieties sprout and grow, investigate genetic differences, or connect the activity to discussions about how corn is used for food, feed, fuel, and industry. Try the Changing Variables activity to test what happens when seeds are missing water, air, or warmth—or design new experiments using factors like light and alternative liquids.
