The Paschen Scholars Program, an innovative educational partnership between F.H. Paschen (FHP) and George Westinghouse College Prep (GWCP), organized a student worksite visit to the historic Garfield Park Conservatory where a renovation of the existing children’s garden within the southwest atrium conservatory is taking place. Once complete, the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden will feature a tropical environment for children and families to explore the wonders of tropical plants.
This visit represents another milestone in the Paschen Scholars program’s mission to provide hands-on technical education and real-world construction industry experience to Chicago’s next generation of builders and engineers. Launched in 2015, the Paschen Scholars Program is a three-year initiative that combines classroom learning with practical construction industry experience, helping students develop crucial technical skills while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. The program exemplifies F.H. Paschen’s commitment to building not just structures, but also future industry leaders.
“The Garfield Park Conservatory visit offers our scholars a unique opportunity to witness construction principles in action within one of Chicago’s most beloved landmarks,” said Joe Scarpelli, Executive VP, F.H. Paschen. “This kind of experiential learning is fundamental to our program’s success in preparing students for careers in construction and engineering.”
During the site visit, Paschen Scholars:
- Engaged with industry professionals and learned about ongoing conservation efforts
- Observed real-world applications of construction and engineering principles
- Gained insights into sustainable building practices and historical preservation
- Connected classroom concepts with practical applications
The Paschen Scholars Program continues to demonstrate the positive impact of private-public educational partnerships in creating meaningful career pathways for Chicago students. This site visit showcases the program’s commitment to providing scholars with diverse learning experiences that bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice.
