Students helped design and build a bridge at Jupiter Elementary, district officials say

Brenda Mashada, STEM teacher at Jupiter Elementary School, told Brevard Public Schools officials that fourth-grade students used an engineering design process to identify a crowded walkway and proposed a pedestrian bridge to improve pedestrian circulation.

"A lot of these kids never had those experiences before," Mashada said, adding that students helped design the bridge, "put a bolt into the bridge," and were allowed to touch wet cement and ask questions during construction.

Sue Han, assistant superintendent for facility services for Brevard Public Schools, said Mashada contacted district staff and the capital projects team coordinated the work so it would not interrupt learning. "We all put our heads together in our department and got some really good folks that manage construction projects and a small construction team that does some really good work and actually build what they had in mind to help the pedestrian circulation at their school," Han said.

An unnamed construction project manager with the capital projects team's small construction crew said they volunteered to take on the project and enjoy returning to the school to see teachers, staff and students use the work. "It really gives me a lot of pleasure when I go back to the school and see that the teachers, staff, students and everybody that appreciates our hard work," the manager said.

Fourth-grade students who spoke at the meeting described the project as an inspiring, hands-on learning opportunity. "The funnest part I think for me is tomorrow the submit. I want to see how like it laid down and it's going to be cool," said fourth-grader Stephan Harris. Amelana McGee said observing the contractors at work and using tools — she noted she sometimes helps her father with plumbing — made construction work seem like a real job option.

District officials said the project has made a noticeable difference for pedestrian circulation at Jupiter Elementary and that school staff and students have responded positively. No funding amounts or detailed budget figures were presented in the remarks; a student said the class completed a packet "about what the budget will be," but the transcript does not specify totals.