Blennerhassett Middle School eighth-grade STEAM students Lillian Bryant, Raylen Reeder, Madison May and Paisley Maone collaborate to complete a tower building challenge at the 2024 West Virginia Manufacturing Association Learning Academy. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Blennerhassett Middle School teacher Holmes Marty was presented with the 2025 Outstanding Industry Educator Award at the Explore: The New Manufacturing Mid-Ohio Regional Awards Ceremony on March 21.

“It was a surprise. I had no idea it was coming,” Marty said. “It’s an honor because it represents the hard work of a lot of people at this school.”

He said the award was a testament to the school’s STEM and STEAM programs that began over a decade ago with a single 3D printer and have since expanded to include broadcasting, robotics and entrepreneurship classes.

“Every sixth, seventh- and eighth-grader at Blennerhassett has a STEM or STEAM class,” Marty said.

From redesigning school spaces to preparing for the school’s 50th anniversary celebration, Marty said students are deeply involved in meaningful projects.

Blennerhassett Middle School eighth-grade STEAM students Lillian Bryant, Raylen Reeder, Madison May and Paisley Maone collaborate to complete a tower building challenge at the 2024 West Virginia Manufacturing Association Learning Academy. (Photo Provided)

“Our eighth-graders are currently planning our school’s 50th anniversary event,” Marty said. “They’ve been cleaning storage rooms, finding historical artifacts and even digitizing old school slides.”

He said students aren’t just passive learners in STEM — they’re active creators.

“I just sit back and facilitate,” Marty said. “These kids are teaching themselves through collaboration.”

He said the broadcasting program has been particularly impressive, growing from 12 students to 64 in just a few years. He said students completely manage their own daily morning show, from filming to editing, with minimal teacher intervention.

He said in just 42 minutes, students completely manage their own production each morning with:

Recent achievements are shown on the wall of Blennerhassett Middle School’s science and technology classes. More than 64 students across seventh and eighth grade classes participate in student-driven programs that include filming, editing and producing a daily morning show and taking part in the Explore the New Manufacturing Student Video Contest where they won first place at regionals and state last year with their Mr. Bee manufacturing video. (Photo Provided)

* 15-20 minutes for filming

* 15-20 minutes for editing

* Final 10 minutes spent writing scripts for upcoming broadcasts

“They set up cameras, use teleprompters, record, edit and produce–all with minimal supervision,” Marty said.

He said the morning program covers everything from lunch menus and weather reports to sports updates. Currently using Canva for production, Marty said students are preparing to advance to more sophisticated editing software like open broadcaster software next year. He said there are plans to also expand to include sixth-grade students next year, potentially growing to nearly 100 student broadcasters, proving that when students are given opportunity and trust, they can create remarkable things.

The broadcasting wall of achievement at Blennerhassett Middle School shows all of the seventh-graders who have taken a class about photography. Holmes Marty, a teacher who provides instruction to seventh and eighth grade STEM and broadcasting classes, said students learn from 100 vintage cameras and camcorders about how the cameras were used and how film was developed. (Photo Provided)

“These kids aren’t just learning media,” Marty said. “They’re teaching themselves how to collaborate, create and communicate.”

He said STEM students are also looking inside the world of manufacturing through a unique video competition that bridges education and industry. He said for the past four years, the school has partnered with the West Virginia Manufacturers Association’s Explore: The New Manufacturing program, giving students hands-on opportunities to document manufacturing processes across local businesses.

“We’ve worked with some incredible companies,” Marty said

He said previous project sites have included the Paul Wissmach Glass Company, now closed Kreinik Manufacturing Inc., Mr. Bee Potato Chips, and most recently, Simonton Windows. He said the competition challenges students to interview workers, learn manufacturing processes and create compelling video documentaries about local industries.

Last year, Marty said the school achieved a significant milestone, winning both the regional and state competitions with their Mr. Bee Potato Chips project. This year, he said they finished second in the regional competition, again qualifying for the state competition.

“It’s not just about making a video,” Marty said. “It’s about understanding how manufacturing works, learning problem-solving strategies and connecting students with local industries.”

He said the program has become a critical part of the school’s STEM curriculum, allowing students to explore real-world career opportunities while developing critical communication and technical skills.

“These projects teach kids far more than just video production,” Marty said. “They’re learning about careers, collaboration and how technology connects with real-world industries.”

He said STEM education is a collaborative journey at Blennerhassett Middle School that transcends traditional classroom boundaries, transforming how students learn, create and solve problems. He said the program’s foundation is built on strategic collaboration between teachers, administrators and the community.

“We write all our own STEM curriculum,” Marty said. “There is no box. We’ve gained this through years of experience and learning from our mistakes.”

Blennerhassett Middle School seventh and eighth-grade broadcasting class members working on their 2025 Explore the New Manufacturing Student Video Contest entry with Simonton Windows & Doors. (Photo Provided)

He said he works with Curriculum Development Teachers like Anessa Koski to meticulously design a progressive STEM approach including:

* Sixth grade: Fundamental problem-solving strategies

* Seventh grade: Technology skills and turning ideas into tangible projects

* Eighth grade: Community service and advanced problem-solving

“We’re not just teaching technology; we’re teaching kids how to think, create, and solve real-world problems,” Marty said.

He said administrative support is also critical to the program’s success. He said the program has unwavering support from school leadership with Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Leadership Justin Hartshorn and Principal Matt Null being instrumental in allowing teachers to innovate.

“The administration’s willingness to take risks and support innovative projects has been crucial,” Marty said. “They trust our students to take on meaningful projects.”

He said the STEM teachers at Blennerhassett also regularly train other teachers, including those at the summer Teaching and Learning Academy, sharing insights and helping other schools develop their own STEM programs.

“We’re preparing students not just for jobs, but for a future we can’t yet imagine,” Marty said. “Collaboration, creativity and continuous learning are our most important lessons.”

Blennerhassett Middle School seventh-grade broadcasting class members Morgan Benton, Gwen Silvis and Cate McLain record the school’s morning show in October. Students cover topics like lunch menu, weather, and sports updates and also film, edit and produce the daily show. (Photo Provided)

Blennerhassett Middle School eighth-grade broadcasting class members Evan Mace and Alexandra record an interview segment for the school’s morning show. Students cover topics like lunch menu, weather, and sports updates and also film, edit and produce the daily show. (Photo Provided)