Browse Resources

This YouTube playlist curated by the Wisconsin Fast Plants Program provides an overview and then demonstrates how to pollinate and harvest seeds from Fast Plants.

This YouTube playlist curated by the Wisconsin Fast Plants Program provides an overview and then demonstrates recommended tending (thinning, managing light intensity, and staking) to help grow healthy, happy plants!

This YouTube playlist curated by the Wisconsin Fast Plants Program provides an overview and then demonstrates planting Fast Plants in three wicking growing systems that are recommended for growing Fast Plants. Two of the recommended systems are built from easily found recycled plastic containers:...

This blog post from the Wisconsin Fast Plants Team describes three ways to optimize your growing environment to grow healthy Fast Plants. Tips for growing healthy plants are focused around the following three concepts, with descriptions of ideal environmental conditions for each: 1. Not enough...

This investigation begins with a phenomenon that is evidenced in most every produce aisle: Many of the vegetables that botanists classify as Brassica look and taste different. This investigation aligns with middle and high school Next Generation Science Standards as well as with agricultural science...

This video is provided by Wisconsin Fast Plants, and introduces three recommended planting systems to use for planting Fast Plants seeds. The video gives an overview of the different methods: the Deli Container, the Wisconsin Fast Plants Watering System, and the Bottle Growing System. This recording...

This video is provided by Wisconsin Fast Plants and demonstrates how to plant Fast Plants seeds using the Deli Container Growing System. The video gives an overview of the materials necessary to grow plants with this method, and also provides step-by-step instructions guiding the process. This...

Part of the Fast Plants website, the "Grow" section offers complete instructions for preparing to grow, planting, tending, pollinating, and harvesting Wisconsin Fast Plants seeds. Instructions include text descriptions, photos, videos, and PDF instructions that can be downloaded, including a...

Read this blog post for background information about the relationship between the biological environment and life processes and systems in Fast Plants. Growing healthy Fast Plants is easy if you understand how the environment can affect growth and development. Three broad categories of...

Read this blog post for background information about the relationship between the chemical environment and life processes and systems in Fast Plants. Growing healthy Fast Plants is easy if you understand how the environment can affect growth and development. Three broad categories of environmental...

Read this blog post for background information about the relationship between the physical environment and life processes and systems in Fast Plants. Growing healthy Fast Plants is easy if you understand how the environment can affect growth and development. Three broad categories of environmental...

Illustrated instructions for constructing and planting seed disks in the Fast Plants deli-container growing system. This is a stable growing system that is easy to construct for all age learners, and works well for growing Wisconsin Fast Plants. Made from recycled deli-containers, these growing...

This 2-page handout gives instructions for making the seed sponge model that was developed by the Wisconsin Fast Plants Program as a tool for learning about germination. Visualizing what is inside a seed and how those structures function during germination is modeled, using a simple kitchen sponge....

This is a jpg version of the Wisconsin Fast Plants life cycle that is found on our website. These Fast Plant illustrations were drawn by Alison Schroeer.

These instructions describe how to construct a plant light box from two stackable plastic file crates that are cut, lined with aluminum foil and lit with a 40/42-watt CFL bulb. This 3-page document includes a complete materials list and 12-step assembly instructions with photographs that illustrate...

Illustrated instructions for constructing and planting in the Fast Plants deli-container growing system. This is a stable growing system that is easy to construct for all age learners, and works well for growing Wisconsin Fast Plants. Made from recycled deli-containers, these growing systems can be...

This webpage from the Fast Plants website explains how to pollinate Fast Plants, including instructions for making bee sticks and pollination videos and tips.

Download this complete and coherently designed, middle school level unit to teach fundamental concepts that underpin the theory of evolution. The unit was collaboratively designed by teachers, college faculty & staff, and the Fast Plants Program at UW-Madison to support student-centered...

This Immersion Unit provides a coherent series of lessons designed to guide students in developing deep conceptual understanding that is aligned with the standards, key science concepts, and essential features of classroom inquiry (as defined by the National Science Education Standards).  Unit...

Description: In this activity students become acquainted with the anatomy and biology of seeds. They will use lenses and scales and make drawings to scale. Students will measure and calculate magnifications and they will begin to understand relationships among these. They will organize and summarize...