{"id":9102,"date":"2025-11-21T20:05:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T20:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.troy.edu\/trojanvision\/?p=9102"},"modified":"2025-11-21T20:05:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T20:05:12","slug":"local-fifth-graders-learn-environmental-lessons-with-troys-office-of-civic-engagement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.troy.edu\/trojanvision\/2025\/11\/21\/local-fifth-graders-learn-environmental-lessons-with-troys-office-of-civic-engagement\/","title":{"rendered":"Local fifth graders learn environmental lessons with TROY’s Office of Civic Engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION<\/a>) \u2014 Troy University students spent their Friday afternoon helping fifth graders at Troy Elementary School learn about nutrition, pollution and the importance of caring for the environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lessons were part of the University\u2019s Gardening and Nutrition\u00a0Initiative;\u00a0a\u00a0program coordinated through Troy\u2019s Office of Civic Engagement<\/a>.\u00a0The fifth grade classes were divided into two groups: one focused on healthy eating and the other on environmental awareness.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nutrition lesson was led by civic scholar Ella Pratt, a junior theatre major from Folly, Alabama, who serves as the team lead for the initiative. Pratt is responsible for developing and teaching the curriculum.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor nutrition, we introduced the food groups,\u201d Pratt said. \u201cNutrients are what we are talking about today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want them to have a good understanding of what they should be eating and what foods will properly fuel their bodies. We also talked about healthy eating habits and what parts of the body certain foods affect and benefit.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HELPING HANDS: Campus Kitchens supports community amid SNAP uncertainty<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lauren Cochran is the coordinator of the Office of Civic Engagement.\u00a0The second group of fifth graders\u00a0participated\u00a0in a lesson on pollution\u00a0taught\u00a0by students enrolled in\u00a0Cochran\u2019s Global Challenges class.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis was a great pairing with our gardening program because we are emphasizing outdoor education and teaching responsibility with the resources that we have available,\u201d Cochran said. \u201cOur students have prepared lessons on water pollution and recycling to share with the fifth-grade students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a great collective experience, and I\u2019ve been able to see my students grow throughout the process.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Pratt, keeping students active and interested is a priority.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like to do activities at the end of every lesson to see what they\u2019ve learned,\u201d Pratt said. \u201cTypically, we play a relay game or something that gets them up and moving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like to do worksheets and discussions. Seeing the kids engaged is a super rewarding thing.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0gardening and\u00a0nutrition\u00a0initiative visits\u00a0troy\u00a0elementary once a month and plans to continue offering lessons that connect healthy living to everyday choices. Students interested in volunteering with the\u00a0Office of\u00a0Civic\u00a0Engagement can call\u00a0(334)\u00a0808-6349.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) \u2014 Troy University students spent their Friday afternoon helping fifth graders at Troy Elementary School learn about nutrition, pollution and the importance of caring for the environment. <\/p>\n

The lessons were part of the University\u2019s Gardening and Nutrition\u00a0Initiative;\u00a0a\u00a0program coordinated through Troy\u2019s Office of Civic Engagement.\u00a0The fifth grade classes were divided into two groups: one focused…<\/p>\n

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