Seems that kids in our area - Oregon - are not as interested in plants these days, but are interested in computers. But after raising 4 children, one thing I noticed is that kids become attached to pets and pet projects if an emotional bond is established. I thought about the idea of a computer program that would make indoor plants, or a vegetable garden, have imaginary personality. And then use sensors. So houseplants would each be given a name like a pet, to establish a bond, sympathy and caring. Plants could be put near the computer, with moisture sensors. Or, a timer would pop up a watering / feeding window spontaneously on screen stating that "Petunia" was starving for water, or to "check" on Toby the Philodendron. Vegetable gardens could have weather stations and moisture stations - wireless. Anyhow, I figured part of the key would be to assign "personality" and names to the garden plots or plants to form a bond. Then the computers would be incorporated, as well as being reminder tools. Say they child watered "Petunia", they could check a box in the popup window, and that would trigger an animation that swithched from a wilted tired plant to a smiling one. Maybe with a voice message.
Sounds like a marketable idea - you sure you want to be posting it on a public forum? Might make you rich.
:))) Sounds a bit like this: http://www.botanicalls.com/ (Sorry, but I think, a "non-speaking", simple plant could be also interesting for kids... hm, in my area... Especially the "moving plants", like the leaves of Dionae, or the stamen of Mahonia, Berberis, the petals of Oenothera; or the quick growing plants, like Phaseolus; or the bizarr looking plants, like cactis/succulents, Sauromatum venosum, Aristolochia gigantea, etc. ... I believe that this little botany mysteries are better for kids, then a "half virtual plant"...)