Central Middle students, teachers showcase expanding career‑tech and STEM experiences
April 15, 2024 | Forest Hills Public Schools, School Boards, Michigan
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Central Middle School students and staff presented projects and course highlights to the Forest Hills Board of Education on March 18, drawing attention to growing career‑and‑technical offerings and community partnerships.
Principal John Hager introduced teachers and students and said the courses “have quickly become some of the most popular courses that we have at Central Middle School.” Avery Berry, who teaches Project Lead The Way STEM courses, described partnerships with Kent ISD and outside organizations that brought engineers from GE Aerospace and a Grand Valley State University medical simulation visit to students.
Seventh‑grader Nora Grover said of her medical‑detectives class: “My experience in medical detectives class was outstanding. I love the fact that there was a variety of ways we learned about medicine and different diseases, bacterias, and viruses.” Acadia Vogel, an eighth‑grader in advanced woodworking, told the board the class helped build confidence: “Mister Albert empowers students to take on challenges without hovering over us.”
David Albert, the industrial arts teacher, described how half of students’ grades come from projects and the other half from employability skills such as punctuality and teamwork. The presenters showed a short video of student work and school leaders thanked the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation for grant support that funded flight‑simulator projects and other experiential learning.
The presentation emphasized hands‑on learning, local business partnerships and teacher grant writing as key drivers of the program’s expansion. The board offered praise and asked no substantive follow‑up; the district said it will continue pursuing similar partnerships and grant opportunities.
The most recent grant cycle from the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation was noted elsewhere in the meeting as awarding more than $130,000 in the spring cycle and about $177,000 year‑to‑date to classroom projects.
Principal John Hager introduced teachers and students and said the courses “have quickly become some of the most popular courses that we have at Central Middle School.” Avery Berry, who teaches Project Lead The Way STEM courses, described partnerships with Kent ISD and outside organizations that brought engineers from GE Aerospace and a Grand Valley State University medical simulation visit to students.
Seventh‑grader Nora Grover said of her medical‑detectives class: “My experience in medical detectives class was outstanding. I love the fact that there was a variety of ways we learned about medicine and different diseases, bacterias, and viruses.” Acadia Vogel, an eighth‑grader in advanced woodworking, told the board the class helped build confidence: “Mister Albert empowers students to take on challenges without hovering over us.”
David Albert, the industrial arts teacher, described how half of students’ grades come from projects and the other half from employability skills such as punctuality and teamwork. The presenters showed a short video of student work and school leaders thanked the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation for grant support that funded flight‑simulator projects and other experiential learning.
The presentation emphasized hands‑on learning, local business partnerships and teacher grant writing as key drivers of the program’s expansion. The board offered praise and asked no substantive follow‑up; the district said it will continue pursuing similar partnerships and grant opportunities.
The most recent grant cycle from the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation was noted elsewhere in the meeting as awarding more than $130,000 in the spring cycle and about $177,000 year‑to‑date to classroom projects.
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