Groundswell Stewardship Initiative empowers students through annual showcase

“The students’ energy from seeing their presentations on their project is what inspires us for the next year,” said Clayton Pelon, director of the Center for Educational Partnerships. 

“When we're writing the grants, planning and getting the community partners rallied, it all comes to a head here, and we can see the amazing work that our students are doing. That's what makes it all worthwhile.”

Ver Duin said the variety of support from Groundswell was instrumental in helping her build an engaging, age-appropriate curriculum for her young students. For their project, Ver Duin’s class learned about sand dunes and remedies to combat erosion such as planting native species.

“It's nice knowing how to connect with community partners and how to help empower my kids to be active,” Ver Duin said. “It was awesome to ask people questions and have resources. Groundswell was able to connect me with different people for dune grass and help me with questions.” 

Sherril Soman, dean of the College of Education and Community Innovation, said Groundswell’s mission aligns with the university’s broader goals. 

“Stewardship projects like these demonstrate how local efforts make a big impact and how no matter your age or background, you can make a difference in your community,” said Soman. 

“Our mission at the college is educating leaders and professionals to engage, enrich and transform communities. This mission and the excellent work highlighted is the reason that we continue to lift up and be the home of Groundswell.”

At the East Kentwood Freshman Campus, Rob Barrett is one of six science teachers working with Groundswell in building several labs, each focused on a specific environmental lesson.

Initially, Barrett and his colleague Cody Bennett built a portable outdoor classroom to assist teachers in taking classes outside. Other labs soon joined including a Salmon Club that explores salmon biology and water quality; a pollinator lab trying to renovate habitats for local wildlife; and a sustainability class working on local food sourcing. 

“The students are starting to have their own voice and asking, ‘How do we actually build this up?’” said Barrett, a three-time graduate of GVSU in 2020, 2012 and 2016..

“It's been really cool because it's been collaborative and this huge amalgam of all these different passions. Where we want to see it grow is with next year's kids who can see what we've started and then they can kind of filter it into their own passions and connect and plug in more.”