You are leaving girlscouts.org for a website opened by an external party. You will be subjected to the privacy and security policies of the website
Adelaide Coster's Sensory Walk and Mural Project Enhances Social-Emotional Learning at Union Township Elementary
Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey proudly honors Adelaide Coster for her exceptional Gold Award project, which has significantly enhanced the social-emotional support efforts at Union Township Elementary School. Adelaide's initiative involved the creation of a 100+ yard sensory walk and numerous uplifting murals, designed to help students better regulate their emotions and prepare for learning.
Adelaide’s project is closely tied to the school's use of the Zones of Regulation framework by Leah Kuypers, which assists students in identifying and managing their emotions. The sensory walk, featuring walking, skipping, and jumping activities, helps children navigate through the different emotional zones, fostering self-regulation and awareness. Complementing the walk, the murals display positive messages and stained tables are color-coded to match the emotional zones, providing a cohesive and supportive environment for the students.
Inspired by her own challenges during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic and observing her mother, a teacher, Adelaide realized the importance of emotional awareness and support for younger children. She wanted to use her creativity to contribute to the local school’s efforts in helping students understand and manage their feelings.
"Being a Girl Scout for 13 years has shown my commitment to contributing to my community and myself. It means that I have overcome obstacles, worked with people of all ages, sacrificed time to help others, and developed leadership and project planning skills that will help me for the rest of my life," said Adelaide.
To ensure the sustainability of her project, Adelaide created a website for teachers to support the use of the sensory walk and provided inspiration and training for the middle school mural club, who will continue to champion her project in the future.
Adelaide’s project would not have been possible without the support of her family, friends, and the school principal. Her dedication and hard work have left a lasting impact on Union Township Elementary School, providing valuable resources for students to better understand and regulate their emotions.
Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey congratulates Adelaide Coster on her remarkable achievement and her commitment to making a difference in her community.
June 21, 2024
