As plant science becomes increasingly important, we need to attract the brightest and best to careers in plant research. School education does not include the most interesting or relevant aspects of plant science, and discourages young people from studying the subject at university. This is indefensible in a world with such a strong requirement for outstanding plant scientists, and steps should be taken to put it right.
I think you can develop the interest of children toward plant science, if you have sound background of PHARMACOGNOSY (Natural Product Sciences). For example you must have a good picture of plant as healing, cosmetic, surgical dressing, vaccine, ornamental, environment protection. Importance of plant use in our daily life as a fuel, fooder, energy source by comparing with the disadvantages of natural sources, comprehensive idea of natural diversity in natural drug discovery and the disadvantages of generally use synthetic molecules. However every thing from nature (like plant) are very important in our daily life. I am a researcher in the field of PHARMACOGNOSY (NATURAL PRODUCT SCIENCES) and I suggest to read more and more ethnobotany and ethnomedicinal survey of plants from atleast the country and region from where you belong. It will give you a fruitful information and afterwards you can interpret this fruitful information in very simple and easiest way. So, you can attract children minds to plant science. Furthermore I am the pioneer in the natural antiemetic drug discovery in PAKISTAN. I am sending you my detailed review about natural antiemetics to give you a natural flavor of natural drug discovery. Please comment after reading. if YOU NOT SATISFIED TILL NOW FROM MY ANSWER. Please ask question
That is easy - just use ethnobotany practices in the class - include herbal tea preparations, tell about medicinal properties, how to prepare tinctures, extracts, in other words classes should be more applied science, instead theoretical.
Strictly speaking, children do not "care" about the importance of plants. Children are attracted by the fascinating perspective of life which touches the extraordinary. If we aim to attract children to plants and through that teach them their importance, we have to think like children. A nice example on how to achieve this is the documentary series dedicated to plants by David Attenborough.
e.g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ032UBRhPI
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