Teacher Resources

The Science of Seeds: Why We Eat Maize, Wheat, Rice, and Potatoes with Hands-On Science Activities for Kids

By Carla Mooney

What's on your dinner table? You probably have some form of maize, wheat, rice, and potatoes on your plate! From London to Lagos to Los Angeles, these staple foods dominate our breakfast bowls, lunch boxes, and dinner tables. In today’s world, more than half of the calories that we consume come from maize, wheat, and rice alone. How did this happen? In The Science of Seeds: Why We Eat Maize, Wheat, Rice, and Potatoes with Hands-On Science Activities for Kids, young anthropologists learn about how humans co-evolved alongside these foods and why these crops are considered the building blocks of the world as we know it. Climate-concerned kids explore global efforts to save seeds, farm smarter, and build edible ecosystems. Plus, learn to cook with some great recipes! Hands-on science projects and essential questions offer kids a deep exploration into why we eat what we eat!

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Reviews

2025 Green Earth Book Award Recommended Reading

Greg Pattridge, Always in the Middle

“Author Carla Mooney explores what could be a droll, boring topic for kids and makes it into a fascinating journey about what we grow and eat. THE SCIENCE OF SEEDS: Why we eat Maize, Wheat, Rice, and Potatoes is a fantastic learning tool. Great for home use or in science classes.”

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Detailed Book Description

What's on your dinner table?

You probably have some form of maize, wheat, rice, and potatoes on your plate! From London to Lagos to Los Angeles, these staple foods dominate our breakfast bowls, lunch boxes, and dinner tables. In today’s world, more than half of the calories that we consume come from maize, wheat, and rice alone. How did this happen?

In The Science of Seeds: Why We Eat Maize, Wheat, Rice, and Potatoes with Hands-On Science Activities for Kids, young anthropologists learn about how humans co-evolved alongside these foods and why these crops are considered the building blocks of the world as we know it. Climate-concerned kids explore global efforts to save seeds, farm smarter, and build edible ecosystems. Plus, learn to cook with some great recipes! Hands-on science projects and essential questions offer kids a deep exploration into why we eat what we eat!

Try these hands-on STEM activities!

Make masa dough
Grow your own wheatgrass
Practice selective breeding
Cultivate a potato plant

Available In:

Hardcover, $24.95
9781647411121

Paperback, $19.95
9781647411152

Specs: 8 x 10 size | 4-color interior | 128 pages

Subject: Science

Content Focus: Biology | Earth Science | Life Science

Leveling: Ages 9-12 |Grade Level 3-6 |GRL W |Lexile 950L

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Timeline
Introduction: Seeds, Seeds, Everywhere!
Chapter One: First Farmers, First Crops
Chapter Two: Maize
Chapter Three: Wheat
Chapter Four: Rice
Chapter Five: Potatoes
Chapter 6: Endangered Seeds
Glossary
Metric Conversions
Resources
Essential Questions
Index