Real World Learning: Bringing New Color to Sunflower Elementary Gardens

When Shawnee Mission West senior Caitlynn Palmer walked past the outdoor learning space at Sunflower Elementary, she saw both weeds and an opportunity. As a student in both the contemporary communications class and the Plant and Soil Science Signature Program at the Center for Academic Achievement, she had been searching for a real-world project that connected to her studies and future goals. Inspiration struck, and a plan took shape to work with Sunflower students to establish a school garden.

From the beginning, the project was more than just planting beautiful flowers for Palmer. “It’s kind of a full-circle moment,” she explained. “I’ve lived in the same neighborhood all my life. I went to Sunflower all seven years, and now I get to give back in a way that feels really meaningful.”

At first, the idea was even bigger. Working with contemporary communications instructor Dr. Andrew Frye, Palmer originally planned to plant a vegetable garden at the school. But Kansas weather interrupted those plans, and the focus shifted to a pollinator garden filled with student-grown flowers from the Broadmoor Urban Farm greenhouse.

“We realized a pollinator garden would be easier to care for and just as helpful,” she shared. “It’s great for the environment, adds color and beauty, and gives kids a reason to be outside learning.”

To bring the vision to life, she partnered with Sunflower Elementary Principal Ryan Kalis and Cub Scout Pack 3136. With a detailed plan in place, complete with goals and a timeline, the work began. 

“One of the biggest things I learned was communication, especially with different audiences,” she said. “From emailing adults, to working with kids, to calling KC Compost and ordering soil… all of it was new to me. It was scary at first, but it helped me grow.”

Palmer also led a Cub Scout meeting, teaching students about pollinator gardens, what they are, why they matter, and how to plant flowers with care. “Kindergarteners to fourth graders don’t always have long attention spans,” she laughed. “So I had to learn how to simplify my message.”

The project came with challenges, including stubborn weeds, sandy soil, and the unpredictability of gardening alongside younger students. “Some of the weeds were huge,” shared Palmer. “I had to use both hands and a foot to pull them out. But once we got the beds prepped and planted, it was all worth it.”

Looking back, she’s most proud of how she adapted and led through each twist and turn. “I loved teaching the lesson, but I also loved the little surprises, when things didn’t go exactly as planned and I had to just go with the flow.”

Now that the garden is planted, she’s excited to see butterflies, bees, and birds start visiting the blooming flowers. She’s also excited for the students to enjoy the space. “I hope they learned how fun it can be to plant something and take care of it,” she shared.

This Real World Learning project combined science, communication, service, and leadership. And while the garden will grow and change with the seasons, the full impact of the project is only just taking root. 

Click here to learn more about Real World Learning in the Shawnee Mission School District.