An unlikely group of VIPs lined up along the fence outside of Grove City College’s Early Education Center (EEC) Tuesday morning to break ground for a new Nature Classroom.
Decked out in hard hats and safety vests and seemingly more fixated on the balloons tied to the fence that fluttered in the wind and the cupcakes that awaited them than the business at hand, nine 3- and 4-year-old students from the on-campus preschool were handed tiny gold shovels for the obligatory photo op.
They said “cheese” and smiled – mostly – for the cameras, their delighted parents, and teachers. A few tried to turn some ground as EEC Director Jolene Munson spoke about the innovative classroom soon to be a part of the College’s preschool center.
“Today is about planting the seeds of curiosity, creativity, and connection. We know that young children need play to learn. Through play they build relationships, test ideas, and grow in confidence. When nature is included they are able to learn lessons through exploration, imagination, discovery, and wonder,” Munson said.
The EEC’s Nature Classroom is being built next to its playground behind the Staley Hall of Arts and Letters on campus, where the preschool is located. When completed it will include multiple features designed to engage young children and highlight the natural world, including garden beds, EZ diggers, play tables, a downed-branch balance beam, stumps to jump and sit on, and more.
“We knew that our preschoolers deserved a space to climb, watch things grow, create, and just get dirty,” Munson said.
The Nature Classroom was conceived by Munson and designed by 2025 alumnae Taylor Funai, Hannah Lewonka, and Faith Sheldon when they were students with help from architect Mark Scheller, principal of Draw Collective, a Pittsburgh-based firm that specializes in educational, health, wellness, and community places. Associate Professor of Biology Darren Wood also provided key support. Sheldon and Scheller, who volunteered his services, were on hand for the groundbreaking.
“We look forward to many years of active learning in this space. Thank you all for being part of this process and supporting this project. Now, let’s build something wonderful,” Munson said before the VIPs dropped their shovels and headed inside the EEC for the cupcakes.
Funding came from alumni Scott and Donna Dysert, both of the class of 1987. “We are thrilled to support Grove City’s Education Department in this project,” Scott Dysert said. “Donna was an elementary education major at Grove City and went on to teach for many years. Grove City gave her a great foundation and start to her career. We’re happy to see this program continue to thrive.”
The Early Education Center is an on-campus pre-school program for young children and their families staffed by certified teachers and Education majors.