GSEM Gold Award Project Catalog

Sensory Wonderland

Project Details: To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, Elyse partnered with Ackerman School to rejuvenate their existing sensory garden and create an inviting space that provides children of all abilities a chance to find calm and peace. In addition to planting new perennials to beautify the area, Elyse also constructed a bench for the students to relax on. To help children interact with the garden, Elyse created a scavenger hunt game that can help students learn how to identify objects of different textures, colors and sizes based on a hint card that describes the object. Elyse trained members of the Ackerman School staff on how to facilitate the game with their students. Elyse’s renovation of this important space will help students immerse themselves in nature for years to come.

Gold Award Girl Scout: Elyse T., Troop 1331

Issue: Spaces directed towards special needs and differently-abled children often are lacking the appropriate appearance, equipment, and activities. Root Cause: The lack of resources such as money, people, and time causes these spaces to not be as accessible as intended. Measurability: Elyse used surveys to see how well the sensory garden was helping. Sustainability: The responsibility of the sensory garden is under the current art teacher at Ackerman. The responsibility will stay with the role of being the art teacher, no matter who is in the position.