Timmy Atkins, a seventh-grader at Pipkin Middle School, visited the Watershed Center two times this school year. The park, lake and environmental sciences center open for all SPS seventh-graders to explore their world during a special science unit, Greener Greenspaces.
Atkins completed the unit, along with every other Pipkin seventh-grader. But he was inspired to do something special: a green gathering space, right by Pipkin’s cafeteria.
“It’s definitely different than what I expected,” said Timmy. “But I really like how useful the space is going to be.”
The culminating project of Greener Greenspaces is to design a special space that has a purpose and supports the health of the community’s waterways. Students apply all of the biology, chemistry and environmental science concepts they’ve learned to design a green space for their school.
Hundreds of student-designed projects were reviewed in classrooms across Springfield. And at each school, a winner was chosen — and Timmy’s project was selected as the districtwide winner in February.
His prize: his design would be built by SPS maintenance team members with materials provided by Menard’s featuring plants grown at the Watershed Center.
“This is a true collaborative partnership with three different organizations all for one goal, which is to make Timmy’s vision become reality,” said Ann Wallenmeyer, coordinator of science curriculum. “His design was selected because of its emphasis in sustainable design and practical use for the Pipkin community, and he was so proud when we told him he won.”
Originally, the Greener Greenspace project was to be constructed in March — but with COVID-19, its construction was delayed until May 28. Timmy spent most of the day guiding design decisions, working alongside the SPS maintenance team and Kelly Owens from the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks.
“These plants we’re using in Timmy’s garden were actually harvested by Timmy and other Pipkin students, and then Hillcrest students started the seeds and took care of the seedlings,” said Owens. “I think it’s really cool to have students in one part of the city learning and doing work that then impacts another group of students in the same city. They can come and see their garden grow, and that community impact is so powerful.”
At the end of the garden’s construction, Timmy determined where two picnic tables, built by Kickapoo High School construction students, would be placed near the garden. It was the last decision, but it won’t be the last time he’s in the garden, he says.
“I’m excited to see other kids use it,” he says. “I’m glad it’s going to be here not just for us, but also the neighborhood. People come and watch practices at the school by the field. Now, they have a place to sit.”