West Virginia House of Delegates recognizes Blennerhassett Elementary School

School honored for S.T.E.A.M. project

PARKERSBURG -- Blennerhassett Elementary School has been recognized by the West Virginia House of Delegates for its work in science, engineering and mathematics.

Delegate John Kelly, R-Wood, visited the school Friday along with other state and local officials to read a citation from the House of Delegates, praising the school and its Parent-Teacher Association for its S.T.E.A.M. programs, which focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

This school year, Blennerhassett Elementary completed LEGO robotics programs with students, sent a student team to the first robotics competition at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, completed a school-wide egg drop engineering challenge and had fifth-grade students design and build a trophy for the competition using a 3D printer and computer-aided drafting programs.

The school also is creating the first S.T.E.A.M. Innovation Center in the region, which will allow students to work on hundreds of science, technology, art and engineering projects.

"This is a great project," Kelly said. "This school is doing a lot of things that make a young mind intrigued. The innovations in the school are right on target."

Kelly was joined by Delegate Vernon Criss, R-Wood, and Sen. Mike Azinger, R-Wood, as well as representatives of Wood County Schools central office.

Kelly said he and others ate lunch with the students to talk to them about their accomplishments.

"You learn a lot," he said. "These kids are so proud of what they've accomplished in this program. They have gone the extra mile."

Superintendent John Flint said it was an honor and a well-deserved recognition.

"This is cutting-edge education," he said. "You use high-tech, science-driven academics to motivate students into a whole new area. Blennerhassett Elementary has led Wood County Schools in looking for ways to be creative in using S.T.E.A.M."

Principal Justin Hartshorn said the school's success is a product of community support.

"Blennerhassett Elementary is clearly the hub of the community, and we're excited about the implementation of our new Innovation Center," he said.