Abby Pelcyger has made it her mission to "green" up her place of employment, Cook Wissahickon Elementary School in Roxborough.

The young teacher is dedicated to making environmentally beneficial improvements to the interior and exterior of the building, such as the tree nursery planned for school grounds.

Her latest venture was displayed on Oct. 5, when seven fifth-year advanced landscape architecture students from Philadelphia University joined 26 third- and fourth-graders at the elementary school to discuss efforts to create an outdoor kindergarten play area and upgraded perimeter fencing.

"They're being asked to use their intelligence and creativity in different ways," said Pelcyger, who teaches science and health.

The recent visit was the second by the Philadelphia University students, who said they've enjoyed working with the youngsters to come up with a viable plan for Cook Wissahickon's play yard.

"It's a learning process for us, but it also helps them out," said college student Rob Jarman.

When Jarman learned the young pupils would be creating blueprints and building models, he figured they would reflect childhood fantasies. And there were some - including a pitch for some water slides. But his opinion of the students changed rather quickly.

"We thought they would just kind of go nuts, and not have anything viable," Jarman said. "Surprisingly, they had some great ideas."

Take Oriol Grana, a little guy with big plans. Grana drew up entire floor plans for the kindergarten play area, including details such as dots representing trees, and different shades to show grading. His plan also included room for a slide, a piece of playground equipment that is affordable.

Then there's young Alyssa Colella, who designed a plan that included swings and an above-ground tunnel, or tube, through which kindergartners could climb.

"You have to think about it, but it's pretty easy to think of an idea," Colella said while checking out the site with fellow students and their college mentors. "I thought I'd make something realistic."

Philadelphia University student Dan Cola said he attempted to relay to pupils the message that realistic was more desirable.

"Show us what's a good idea. Show us what you like," he told the kids.

Cola said the partnership is great, in that it teaches kids the importance of doing something that will benefit others, not just themselves.

"It's a broad lesson of community involvement," he said.

It could be said it works both ways.

"It's helping them, but it's teaching us to be able to work with other people," Jarman added.

Jarman said that, when he and his fellow college students are in the real world designing and planning, they will have to work with clients with specific thoughts in mind. This, he said, is a great way to prepare them for what lies ahead.