Ready, Set, Grow: K-State Olathe Offers Second Annual 'Willie And The Beanstalk' Competition

Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013

by Kristi Northcutt

Kansas State University Olathe will team with the agronomy department at Kansas State University to present the second annual "Willie and the Beanstalk" event, a contest to grow the largest soybean plant.

Open to elementary, middle school, high school, 4-H and/or FFA teams interested in the scientific principles surrounding plant growth, "Willie and the Beanstalk" is a challenge to grow the largest soybean plant in a 40-day span and document the effort.

Beginning March 4, contestants will grow a soybean plant for 40 days, document their activity, and bring their entry to K-State Olathe for judging on April 13. Prizes will be awarded for top entries in each judging category and all entrants will earn a T-shirt.

Seeds are available at K-State Olathe, as are lesson plans for teachers who are interested in more information about integrating the contest into the classroom. For more information, click here or contact Micheal Strohschein, director of K-12 science education partnerships at K-State Olathe, at 913-307-7342 or mistroh@k-state.edu.