A special community outreach endeavor completed this semester by a group of SUNY Oneonta students has helped educate an entire elementary school of children on the basics of environmental sustainability and stewardship.
Through the college’s “Harvest Share Buddies” service learning initiative, dozens of biology and sociology students spent time in 12 different classrooms at Riverside Elementary School in Oneonta, teaching hundreds of children about food, the environment and plant biology. In their assigned K-5 classrooms, SUNY Oneonta students presented weekly interactive lessons, facilitated group discussions and got to know the children.
Environmental concepts literally came to life for the kids, as vegetable grow boxes were built and installed in the classrooms, giving students a firsthand look at where food comes from. Students grew tomatoes, lettuce and a variety of herbs and spices. When full-grown, the ingredients will be harvested and used to make pizza for the children.
The Harvest Share Buddies program, organized by Assistant Professor of Biology Sean Robinson and Associate Professor of Sociology Greg Fulkerson, is in its second year.
On the last visit of the semester, Environmental Studies major Zeke Brynin showed fourth graders a video on food waste, and the children brainstormed ways to help “reduce, reuse and recycle.” Suggestions included riding a bicycle instead of driving, reducing pollution, starting a compost pile, shopping local and growing food at home.
Next door, SUNY Oneonta student Kragh Delello asked third graders about their favorite (and least favorite) foods, spoke about the nutritional value of these foods and led a game on the class SMART Board.
“When we walk in the classroom, it’s like we’re celebrities,” Delello said. “It has been really fun getting to know these kids.”
Third-grade teacher Jacqueline Scanlon said her pupils loved having the college students come in each week.
“We called them our SUNY friends, and whenever it was time for a visit, their eyes would light up,” Scanlon said. “It’s great for these kids to meet the college students and gain a mentor-type figure, but it’s also something I appreciate because, with pressures on curriculum, this is a topic we don’t often get to talk about. But it’s so needed and relevant. My students have learned a lot.”
30 Days of Giving 2017:
- Day 1: Shopping with a Smile
- Day 2: Erie Community College Cook-Off for Kidneys
- Day 3: Stony Brook Medicine Helps in Puerto Rico
- Day 4: A Day of Service at Onondaga CC
- Day 5: New Paltz Students Make a Difference
- Day 6: Buffalo State College Dares to Care
- Day 7: Niagara County CC Students Lend A Hand for Thanksgiving
- Day 8: Old Westbury Helps Haiti
- Day 9: A Day of Service at SUNY Potsdam
- Day 10: Helping Animals at Hudson Valley Community College
- Day 11: FIT Students Help the Homeless
- Day 12: Morrisville Athletes Go Local For Service
- Day 13: SUNY Poly Gives Back Throughout the Region
- Day 14: SUNY Oswego Honors Those Battling Ovarian Cancer
- Day 15: Brockport Students Volunteer at Thanksgiving
- Day 16: SUNY ESF Sends Acorns to Action
- Day 17: Doors Open at the Columbia-Greene Community College Giving Closet
- Day 18: Monroe Community College Helps Walk for Water
- Day 19: SUNY Cortland Supports Crop Hunger Walk
- Day 20: Making Music at Farmingdale State to Help the Hungry
- Day 21: Increasing Food Security at Dutchess Community College
- Day 22: Addressing Food Insecurity On and Around SUNY Geneseo
- Day 23: Westchester Community College Plays the UnHunger Games
- Day 24: Binghamton University Builds University Assisted Community Schools
- Day 25: Mohawk Valley Community College Gives Back To Their Community
- Day 26: SUNY Oneonta Students Help Area Children Learn
- Day 27: Rockland Community College Comes Together to Aid Puerto Rico
- Day 28: Empire State College Donates to Caribbean Relief
- Day 29: Schenectady County Community College Students Provide Support to Foster Families
- Day 30: Raising Guiding Eyes at SUNY Delhi
