In two fourth-grade classrooms at East Side Intermediate School, something remarkable is happening. Where there was once empty space, tall hydroponic towers now stand filled with leafy greens, herbs, and possibility. Students gather around them daily, checking water levels, testing nutrients, and watching carefully as their plants grow—not in soil, but in water. For many students, it’s their first time seeing how food can grow in such an unexpected way.

This hands-on learning experience is part of a pilot program developed through a partnership between East Side Intermediate School and University of Illinois Extension, with support connected to the Eldorado Solar Project. Bronwyn Aly, a Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator with University of Illinois Extension, helped bring the program to life. “This is the first time we’ve done this,” she explained. “So we’re calling it a pilot program, and you guys are the first.”

Each participating classroom received its own hydroponic tower, and a third is in the school’s Commons. Unlike traditional gardening, there is no soil involved. Instead, plants grow in small cubes made of rock wool, a material created from volcanic rock that supports the roots while allowing water and nutrients to flow through. For fourth grader Reid Walker, the concept was eye-opening. “Learning that you can actually grow plants without having to use soil or any stuff like that,” is his favorite part of the program.

Students don’t just observe the towers—they take responsibility for them. Each day, designated student “gardeners” check the water, test the pH levels, and monitor plant health. Through this process, they are learning not only about plant science but also about consistency and care. Mara Atkins especially enjoyed the scientific aspects of the experience, sharing that her favorite part was “testing all the pHs of all those different liquids.”

The hydroponic towers are currently growing a variety of lettuces, including romaine, butterhead, kale, and spinach. In the coming weeks, students will harvest their crops and enjoy a salad celebration, eating the food they helped grow themselves. For many students, this project has also introduced them to new foods as U of I Nutrition Specialist Elizabeth Cooley-Questelle brought a variety of fruits and vegetables to share. Emma Fogg discovered new flavors through taste-testing lessons, explaining that she enjoyed “tasting the different parts of the plant,” while learning how roots, leaves, and stems each play a role in nutrition.

Students have learned about macronutrients and micronutrients, plant growth cycles, and the importance of fruits and vegetables for overall health. Micah Hall was especially interested in the science behind plant growth, sharing that his favorite part was “learning about the micronutrients,” including essential elements like magnesium and calcium.

For teachers Nicole Stewart and Karen West, the program has created opportunities for shared discovery. Stewart admitted that hydroponics was new to her, saying, “I do not have a green thumb, so learning how to see the growth that we have just using water and nutrients and not having soil has been fascinating.” West appreciated how the program made gardening accessible within the classroom, explaining that she loved having “this compacted kind of mini garden in my classroom.”

Aly has found the experience equally rewarding. While her work typically focuses on supporting adult farmers, working with students has offered a new perspective. “My favorite part is seeing their faces as they’re learning,” she said. Watching students use scientific vocabulary like “substrate” and confidently explain plant nutrients has been especially meaningful.

The program’s impact extends beyond the classroom. Some are even thinking about trying hydroponics at home. Micah, whose family already grows a garden, said he plans to share what he has learned, explaining, “I’m going to tell my mom about hydroponics.”

For students, being part of the first group to experience the program feels special. Mara captured that excitement perfectly, saying, “It makes it feel like you just won the lottery. Like you’re really special for doing this.”

That sense of wonder is exactly what the program hopes to inspire. By combining science, responsibility, and hands-on learning, the hydroponics project is helping students understand where their food comes from and how it grows.