Scavenger Hunt Introduces Education Majors to Renovated Parenzo Hall

With Parenzo Hall recently renovated, students are now free to explore the technology and spaces recently installed in the building. This presents an opportunity for students to get familiar with the oldest building on campus and interact with features designed to enhance their academic experience. For students majoring in education, this opportunity included a scavenger hunt, with information, instructions, and resources dispersed throughout Parenzo Hall.

At a time where students now are able to access all areas of the campus, Alexis Pratt, a junior, described the scavenger hunt as “so much fun.” During COVID, the building was under renovation, so I never got to see it until now,” she said. “It’s absolutely gorgeous.” As an elementary education major with a concentration in learner variability, this accessibility to spaces is important to Pratt to absorb the full Owl experience. 

“I loved the scavenger hunt,” Pratt continued. “At first, I didn't know who I could convince to do it with me, but I ended up finding a group of four students, and we did it together.” With a list of 30 things to engage with, students had to search Parenzo Hall for specific offices, gather information relevant to the department—such as Jennifer Carlson’s full name, their Administrative Assistant—or create content such as Tik Toks and group photos.

“The intention of the scavenger hunt was to have the students explore Parenzo Hall, but also to find the things they need to know about being an education major,” Stephanie Grimaldi said, Professor of Education and the current interim chair of the department. “We had them explore the building. They went to the Registrar’s office, Academic Advising, TRIO, the Career and Counseling Centers… being a teacher is fun, but being a teacher is also about becoming comfortable with being silly.”

Pratt agreed with the sentiment, commenting on her experience with the hunt’s list. “The night of the scavenger hunt, my group and I ended up going into Parenzo Hall and made a Tik Tok. It took us 30 minutes. It was hilarious. It was honestly just so much fun to learn where everything was. I hope that we do something like that again.” 

“The students were allowed to participate in groups, but they could also do it alone if they wanted,” Grimaldi said. “It was open like that. The idea was trying to have students bond with their classmates. Alexis is a junior, so she's probably going to spend 80 percent of her time in Parenzo Hall. It's kind of like the students’ home. We wanted them to feel like that, too.”

With brand new spaces like the CoLab, a collaborative work area equipped with 3D printers, virtual reality devices, and 3D capture tools, as well as upgraded classrooms and a modernized Dever Auditorium, Parenzo Hall has much to offer those curious enough to explore the renovations. 

“I love the new forensic space,” Pratt said about Parenzo. “And I know how great the education department is. I also was able to see some of my professors that I had a couple of semesters ago but haven’t seen just because we've been so spread out. It was nice to be able catch up and have everybody right there.”

Pratt, also a tour guide for the University, emphasized the importance of Parenzo Hall being upgraded in terms of how it benefits campus life as a whole. “As a tour guide, it's one of my favorite buildings to point out. After the scavenger hunt and getting to know everything, I'm proud of that building. I'm very proud of being associated with it and everything that goes on in Parenzo Hall.”