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Blennerhassett Middle School STEAM labs to power career options

By Tyler Bennett 4 min read

PARKERSBURG -- Blennerhassett Middle School officials gave a tour Thursday of the three new STEAM labs that are offered at the school.

Not having a big focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) at the middle school like Blennerhassett Elementary and Parkersburg South High School when she became BMS principal five years ago, Melanie Arthur wanted a technology bridge from elementary to high school to help prepare the students for the technical center and after high school.

With the help of the Local School Improvement Council (LSIC), the school's Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and faculty, Arthur's plans were made a reality. Originally starting with a small lap and only two 3D printers and some circuit boards, the school has increased its technology and class offerings with the addition of an Entrepreneurship Lab, a second STEAM Lab and a Broadcasting Lab.

"Through the LSIC, PTA and our leadership team, we decided that we wanted to make technology a focus and become a bridge from elementary to the high school," Arthur said. "We wanted to be that bridge with technology and to help prepare the students for the tech center and the different careers that they could have in the future."

"We're extremely blessed with Mrs. Arthur in her ability to work with her team, develop a team and the program to affect our children," said Craig Arnold, co-chairmen of the LSIC. "I greatly endorse everything that she has done. Without her and her team support, it wouldn't have happened."

Through the Entrepreneurship Lab, students have created a shop called "Bobcat Biz" which makes and sells school merchandise like t-shirts, keychains, decals and magnets. The shop is also run by the students under the supervision of teacher Sarah Kendall.

Kendall said the students work on how to market an item, how much an item costs and how to make a profit.

"We had an idea that we wanted to teach the kids entrepreneurship and how to run their own business and to do all the behind the scenes of how to do that," she said.

"It is really fun. We do a lot of different things and it's hard work, but it really is worth it in the end. I'm glad I decided to take the class," eighth-grader Sydney McKee said. "I wanted to know what the class would be like, it was a new class on the market for everybody. So I feel lucky to be in it."

The STEAM Lab allows students to learn about electronics, programming, robotics, engineering and creative problem-solving.

"I like it a lot because there are newer technologies. Some of these kids that don't really get the whole idea of it or might not have families that are really into technology and all that," said eighth-grader Patrick Arnold. "We get to come here and make cool stuff. I just think it's cool to go home and give a parent or someone that you love something that you made."

The Broadcast Lab includes a green screen area that allows students to produce videos and live feeds of announcements with a variety of backgrounds and effects.

According to teacher Holmes Marty, students did audio recordings of the announcements when the school was virtual at the start. Marty also said the students have been filming live videos and could stream local sporting or school events online in the future.

"The students absolutely love what we do here and the fact that our superintendent (Will Hosaflook) has made it a mission to really get devices in the students' hands and technology anywhere that we can," Marty said. "The kids have become so efficient with the hardware right now that it's just going to continue to get better and better."

Tyler Bennett can be reached at tbennett@newsandsentinel.com.

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