From Propagation to Graduation is a project created by Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Michelle Whitacre and Biology Visiting Faculty Member Dr. Shani Golovay. With support from the President’s Research, Innovation, and Development toward Excellence (PRIDE) Fund, Whitacre and Golovay seek to make the University greenhouse more central to student experience. The initiative will offer new opportunities to biology and education students alike.
The project grew from a plant propagation assignment in Golovay’s classes. Students were enthusiastic about caring for their own plants and engaging with the greenhouse. One biology education student expressed interest in creating an elementary lesson plan that allowed students to grow plants using water and test tubes, rather than soil. That led Golovay to work with Whitacre to help turn the idea into classroom-ready lessons. Through their project, a student from the College of Education and Human Services will work to develop this lesson plan and help create kits for local elementary educators to use.
A student from the College of Science, Technology, and Health, will work in the University greenhouse, helping keep the space open and assisting with student activities. Through their project, Whitacre and Golovay want to turn the greenhouse into a space where students are welcome to spend time. They are in the process of developing events that introduce the greenhouse as an accessible space for students.
Golovay hopes the greenhouse can become the site of a new tradition that students can take part in throughout their time at the University. As freshmen, students will be invited to begin growing their own pothos plant in the greenhouse. This plant will grow in the greenhouse until they take it home with them during their senior year. “It’s such a visual representation of their growth,” Golovay said. “You grew roots that first year. Then it grew into this huge plant with brand new roots that you didn’t have when you started.”
The From Propagation to Graduation project unites biology and education students to create meaningful experiences for students at Lindenwood and in the wider community. The project will reach students who enjoy the greenhouse as a shared space, those who have a tangible symbol of their growth at Lindenwood, and elementary students and teachers throughout the region.