Berwick, Columbia County, PA -
Electricity, 3D modeling, and problem-solving through invention are just a few things students in the Berwick Area School District will focus on through a new addition to their curriculum, which emphasizes hands-on learning.
The We Build It Better Program provides skilled technical workforce experience to middle school students nationwide through various partners, including Amazon Web Services (AWS).
On Wednesday, middle school teachers and faculty were joined by members of AWS, including vice president of economic development, Roger Wehner.
“We are selfishly trying to build a workforce for the future that can engage in STEM jobs and careers,” he said.
Through research and experience of the program at other program locations, Wehner says it provides more than just a future workforce.
“We've seen increased academic performance and other subject matters, math, science, English...We’ve actually seen their attendance and engagement go up too,” he said.
The district has already begun to implement career technical education programs, like the multimedia technology program that senior Emily Brekke has been part of for almost two years.
“Getting into this program has been really good for me because I look forward to coming each day because I’m learning so much,” said Brekke.
She and fellow students in the program filmed Wednesday's teacher training, creating their own version of the announcement for the morning news program and the district Facebook.
“Trying new things and especially trying hands-on things gives you new perspectives into what you might want to do. You never know what’s going to inspire you,” she said.
This approach to learning is something Berwick Area Superintendent Jason Bendle feels is crucial to young development.
“It’s the school’s job to prepare kids for future employment or future job readiness. I think school districts have a poor job with that over the last handful of years,” said Bendle.
Preparation for the future begins with the age-old question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"If a child wants to experience something and they don't like it, they learn just as much as if they truly love it and say this is what I want to do with my life," said Bendle.
Students would agree, excited for the opportunity to learn new skills.
Logan Schnerr, an 8th-grade student, says he wants to be a pilot, and seeing model airplanes set up in the workroom makes him excited.
“You’re going to need it eventually in your life. You’re going to be working on something, and this teaches you before you need to get to that point,” said Schnerr.
https://www.webuilditbetter.org
