Darrington School District

Innovation Sprouts: Experiment Update

Darrington School District, in partnership with Snohomish STEM Network, engaged students in the State of Innovation Challenge back in March and they brought their plans to life through support from Snohomish STEM and Boeing Global Engagement. 

Students wrapped up their school year by taking home a science project they have been working on in class – growing potatoes in buckets. Students, along with the help of their teachers Zacharie Bass, Ray Franke, and Eileen Draper, conducted experiments growing potatoes from starts. In true science fashion, the first batch of potato starts failed to sprout causing students to analyze the data and make changes before trying again. With more success the second time around, students enjoyed their time dedicated to maintaining the potato garden; a few potatoes even got nicknames including “French Fry”.  

This was one of their first hands-on lessons upon returning to in-person school and it became a memorable project. Some students took their potato buckets home to continue the experiment over the summer with plans for a potato cookoff when they return in the fall. Sounds like a tasty experiment! 

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