H2Grow is the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s latest Purple Plow challenge. Running through July 31, the interactive program challenges students in grades 5-12 to research, design, construct, test and report on a means of using waste from an aquatic animal growth system (like a small fish farm) as beneficial nutrients in a plant growth system (like a garden).

H2Grow is great for middle- or high school teachers looking for experiential learning opportunities, either virtually or in a classroom. It’s also a great fit for 4-H clubs or other youth groups interested in exploring and learning through hands-on experience.

Learn more and see examples of previous challenges at the Purple Plow website and in this video. The top three entries will win a 3-D printer and a Visa gift card to help buy supplies for future challenges.

If you’re short on time, check out the ‘puzzlers’ — hands-on STEM activities that can be completed in just a couple hours. They’re designed to sharpen critical and creative thinking through ag-related activities and follow the Purple Plow’s engineering design steps: create, test, improve and share.

The Purple Plow Challenge is special project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and made possible through generous support of our title sponsor, Corteva Agriscience.

To stay informed about the Purple Plow, sign up for their e-newsletter here.