Elementary school children dig into new SoE garden project

With the vocal energy that only exuberant elementary school students can generate, 120 from Abbett swarmed over the Purdue University Fort Wayne School of Education’s urban garden. Though it took a while to get them organized and on to the three buses that brought them to the PFW campus on Friday morning, the students were anxious to explore as soon as they arrived at the plot of land located outside the Allen County Purdue Extension Office.

“I don’t think they could fully comprehend what they were going to be doing, so this is just a very exciting experience for them,” said kindergarten teacher Caroline Chesney, who has taken some certificate and master’s level classes at PFW. “The whole project is going to be a great combination of science and life-learning experience for them, especially for the children who don’t experience growing food at home.”

The Growing Gardens Program is a partnership with Abbett funded through a Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne grant. The students will grow starter plants in their classrooms this winter that will be planted in the urban garden next spring. They will return to PFW in the fall for harvest, sharing the bounty with their families and PFW’s FRIENDS of the University Pantry.

“It’s fun getting out here in reality with kids who are off screens,” said Julia Smith, assistant professor of early childhood development. “They are enjoying the beauty of a fall day, and the colors are beautiful. It helps get them familiar with the garden and gives them something to look forward to in the spring. All winter, they’ll think about the garden.”

PFW chose Abbett partly because of alumni connections that include kindergarten teacher Stacy Parnin, who is the daughter-in-law of Sharon Parnin, clinical assistant professor of educational psychology, and fourth grade teacher Teonyka Sneed, B.S. ’21. Chesney, Sneed, and Stacy Parnin were all present during Friday’s experience, and Sharon Parnin was already elbow-deep into the raised beds as the buses arrived.

“It was pretty loud, but I think it was because they were very excited about this,” Sneed said when asked about the ride over. “This is the first field trip this school year.”

Extremely well organized by about 20 teachers and volunteer parents, the students charged to each station, often with older students holding hands with the kindergarteners. They couldn’t wait to hear the knowledge shared by 12 PFW faculty and staff members and extension office master gardeners.

The various activities included identifying plants and invertebrates; planting herbs and garlic; and a quiet walk to visit bees and display gardens. The students also got to examine Indiana native plants, pet a Pomeranian dog, and dig for worms—probably the most talked about part of the trip.

"Hey guys, look at this!" one boy yelled, holding up a worm on a spade.

“A lot of these kids don’t get the chance to explore the city, let alone a college campus like this,” said Stacy Parnin, who is currently taking PFW classes in the transition to teaching program and on track to soon start work toward a master’s degree. “A lot of the kids don’t get out as much as we did when we were kids. It’s about showing them interesting things you can find outside, and honestly, just getting their hands dirty; not playing a video game. I’m excited for the kids to get the opportunity to experience more than just what’s in their neighborhood.”

After lunch at Walb Student Union, the students climbed back onto their buses in the early afternoon, saying goodbye only for now.

“We’re just really excited to get some kids out here having fun,” Smith said. “Children having these experiences at a young age teaches them if they have a small space in their backyard, or if they have containers they want to plan some food in, we’re teaching them how to get a little bit off of that industrialized food system and helping family budgets by growing your own food. There are so many possibilities.”