The Florida 4-H Plant Science curriculum, a part of the Environmental Education and Science, Engineering and Technology Programs, includes the basic premise that plants are important in children's lives. The 4-H Plant Science program provides an opportunity for young people to practice a variety of life skills while learning subject matter.

Plant Connections is designed to help 9-11 year old children in grades 3 through 5 understand the role plants play in our lives and how to grow and care for them. To the informed Florida citizen, it is not surprising that plant science commands a priority within the total Florida 4-H education curriculum. An investment in young people's knowledge, understanding and attitudes about plants within our environments cannot be ignored now or in the future. Likewise, the Horticulture Industry is a large part of the Florida economy in which youth can explore and learn about the science behind the plant industry.

Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) is a national mission mandate of 4-H in which young people are learning the skills and knowledge of science through projects and programs, like Plant Connections. This curriculum provides youth an interface between learning specific plant related subject matter, the processes of science, engineering and today's technology while having fun in group environments that encourage and facilitate life skill development among youth.