Where Learning Takes Root: Experiential Education in Otterbein’s Greenhouse

By Tyler Sharrock ’28

Experiential learning is so important to an Otterbein education, it’s required. And while many students get that experience in an office or laboratory, junior Gabriella Fink has worked with hundreds of plants inside Otterbein University’s greenhouse.

When Fink, an Environmental Science major, works with the plants in the greenhouse she has to inspect each plant to make sure it’s getting the care it needs.

“I start in the hallway and feel the soil to see if it’s wet or if it needs water,” Fink said. “I also check if anything needs sprayed for pests, if there are drainage issues or if a plant is rootbound.”

A rootbound plant means the roots have outgrown the pot and need more room to continue growing. She also checks each plant for dying leaves, trims them back when needed, and uses stakes and strings to support plants that become too heavy.

Although the work can be repetitive, Fink says it’s helped her discover just how much she enjoys caring for plants. “I really like plants. I knew I liked plants, but I’m learning how to actually take care of them. Having a chill job that has meaning is really nice.”

Like any job, working in the greenhouse comes with its challenges.

“Watering outside of the greenhouse is probably the hardest part,” she said. “Inside, there are drains so you can water as much as you want. Outside, if you spill, you have to wipe everything down, and the hose only reaches so far, so you end up carrying buckets of water.”

Another challenge? “The cacti,” Fink said with a laugh. “I’ll wear gloves, but they have these tiny needles that somehow get underneath them. They’re so hard to get out.”

Working in the greenhouse has also helped Fink figure out what she wants to do after graduation. “At the beginning of school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. Then I switched my major to Environmental Science. I still don’t know exactly what job I want, but I do know I want to work with plants and help people.”

Whether she’s watering plants, trimming leaves or learning something new every day, Fink’s time in Otterbein’s greenhouse has helped grow more than just plants. It has helped her discover a passion for her future.