Do seeds need soil in order to germinate?

Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Benson, and Mrs. Voss recently tried to grow some lima beans in bags in front of the window between our classrooms.
3 of the seeds were watered but did not have soil.
3 of the seeds were watered and did have soil.

Conclusion

After 7 days, one of the seeds in water had sprouted and all of the seeds in soil had sprouted.
After 9 days, all of the seeds in water had died but all of the seeds in the soil had sprouted.

Conclusion: No, seeds do not need soil in order to sprout, but they do need nutrients.