For their Engineering in Elementary unit, the fifth graders explored package engineering. First the students read a book introducing them to the field. Then, based on the story, the fifth graders were set to the challenge of creating a plant package. As a culmination to many lessons on the numerous functions of a package and the importance of considering the needs of the product (a plant, in their case) and the consumer when constructing a package, the students used the Engineering Design Process to design one that satisfied the necessary criterion. The fifth graders worked diligently and creatively to create the "best" package for their basil plants. After days in their new homes, many plants continue to flourish.
