School Seed Saving Film

The children gathered unused chillis and aubergines from the school polytunnel to preserve the seeds for planting next year. They stripped the insides of the vegetables of their seeds and placed them in a jar, washed them and left them to dry. They filmed the process to develop their video and documentary skills, as well as enhancing their understanding of the process through explaining it. They then shared the video on the school YouTube channel to disseminate with the wider community. 

What are the benefits/outcomes of a digital approach to this activity?

• Children become involved in recording the work of the kitchen garden and gain a deeper understanding of this part of the growing calendar as they explain it on film
• Deeper understanding of how to grow food sustainably and being self sufficient through communicating the activity
• Ability to share work with a wider audience including family, friends, wider community, project partners
• Utilising all the children’s skills across the project 
• Links to the wider curriculum – computing, literacy, oracy, maths, science, social skills

Top Tips

• Familiarise both staff and children with the steps of the exercise 
• Discuss possible questions that could be asked
• Ensure children are familiar with the filming and video software
• Designate roles to children prior to the session
• Have all of the equipment needed ready