Learning by growing

New equipment arriving at Lynn Community Middle School this summer is expected to do more than grow plants — it will challenge students to experiment, solve problems and learn through trial and error. 

Through the New Mexico Grow Project, students will work with raised garden beds, hydroponic systems and other agricultural tools designed to bring real-world learning into the classroom. 

John Melvin, who teaches seventh-grade science and agriculture at Lynn, said the goal is to give students a better understanding of where food comes from, and the role agriculture plays in everyday life. 

“We’ve got to be able to have more food,” Melvin said. “Just educating kids in where our food comes from and why it’s important.” 

The project comes as concerns continue to grow overpopulation increases, shrinking farmland and the future of food production. Melvin said introducing younger generations to those challenges can help them better understand the systems that support everyday life. Students will compare different growing methods, track results, and observe how environmental conditions influence growth. 

Rather than focusing solely on outcomes, Melvin said the process itself may offer the most valuable lessons. The approach encourages students to troubleshoot problems, test new ideas, and learn from mistakes while reinforcing science concepts already being taught in the classroom. Lessons tied to nutrition, ecosystems, and plant growth will be incorporated into the project, creating connections between coursework and practical experience. 

Melvin said the project also helps students better understand the systems behind the food they consume every day. 

“A lot of kids know food comes from Walmart or Albertsons, but that’s about as far as they know where it comes from,” Melvin said. 

The school’s agriculture program currently serves between 50 and 70 students through elective courses. When classes resume in July, participants will begin working with the new materials and helping establish growing areas on campus. 

According to Tracy Curry, director of New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom, Lynn stood out because of Melvin’s plan to connect learning opportunities with families, community members and local growers. 

“His innovative plan promises to spark meaningful student learning and inspire a lasting appreciation for agriculture and our precious natural resources,” Curry said.   

For Melvin, success will not be measured by what grows in the garden beds — it will be measured by what students learn from them. 

“It’s okay that plant died,” he said. “Now, let’s look at why.”