BRIDGEPORT – Bridgeport Middle School’s seventh graders are opening their eyes to new horizons after a visit to Touchstone Research Laboratory in Triadelphia where they saw innovators pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and right in their own backyard.
Groups of about 15 seventh graders will visit Touchstone every nine weeks through the school year. Brian Joseph, founder and CEO, welcomed the first arrivals Oct. 6.
Joseph took them on a tour of the site and showed them the fruits of innovation, from aerodynamic vehicles and hydroplane boats, to a 120-year-old telescope from Oglebay Park’s observatory that is being restored. He pointed out how engineers and architects have reshaped the landscapes to make roads and bridges possible.
The key to all these gains was curiosity about how the world worked and a vision for what could be possible.
Joseph told them progress is not a miracle. Progress is problem-solving by people like them.
He went on to give a presentation covering inventors, entrepreneurs, business owners and artists across the years who had their home in the Ohio Valley.
“We forget who we are and our cultural significance,” Joseph said.
They also met a recent Bridgeport graduate now working at Touchstone.
Following his talk and tour, Joseph spoke highly of this partnership with the school district.
“It’s awesome. I think what they’re doing in that school is great, and we support it however we can. My ultimate goal is to try and figure out how to have the kids understand how big the world is and how many opportunities there are and how big the opportunities are, and how capable they are in being whatever they want to be.”
He commended the foresight of Bridgeport Schools’ making connections with area businesses and stakeholders.
“Bridgeport does an amazing job setting up the kids to be successful.”
He also enjoys the chance to share the impressive range of local accomplishments.
“So much stuff has happened here and is currently going on in this area, that I don’t think we focus a lot on,” he said. “They’re always surprised about all the things that are right here.”
Seeing ideas light up behind the students’ eyes is always satisfying.
“This group’s been fantastic. It’s a bunch of good kids. I think there’s going to be some real successful kids coming out of this class.”
Joseph has been wowed by Bridgeport Schools. He said the district is on the right track by constructing the Bridge, the multipurpose building that offers extensive project-based learning and opportunities to gain experience working with professionals who offer their services through the new location.
“I love the Bridge. I love the new building. I love the strategy around that. I love the scale of the investment,” he said. “I’m really impressed with the leadership of the school. I like the direction the school’s going. I just can’t say enough things. I brag about the school all the time.”
The students’ chaperone was Christine Malone, teacher of seventh grade ELA, World History, Career Connections and Introduction to Spanish. Malone is a new educator at Bridgeport Schools and this was her first time leading a field trip to Touchstone.
“I had no idea that this was such an amazing, fascinating place,” she said. Malone noted the young people were excited to hear that their area was the center of so much achievement.
“It’s such an amazing opportunity because their background knowledge is very, very limited about what’s available to them after they graduate, and this just puts them on the right track to be a successful member of society.”
She added the information about the contributions of the Ohio Valley surprised her as well.
“Anytime they see that someone from this area can go on to be successful and make a contribution, it has a real life-changing effect on them.”
Malone praised Bridgeport Schools’ strong focus on community partnerships.
“Touchstone’s mantra is: ‘The power of community,’ and that’s what Bridgeport’s all about,” she said. She added her students ended the field trip with the powerful realization that they are a part of something and how they can contribute.
“That’s what we focus on at Bridgeport,” she said. “This was beyond amazing.”
Students such as Emily found the field trip fascinating. She said her classmates saw things they might want to create or enhance.
“I never knew that so many people were doing such great things around the area,” she said. “There’s a lot of interesting things going on.”
She also found the message that people can improve their conditions heartening.
“Over time, when someone really puts in the effort and thinks about things.”
Fellow seventh grader Matthew shared her interest. He was unaware how many people responsible for innovation were from so close by.
“It was pretty cool,” he said. “You don’t know how stuff is built until you know how to build it.”
Bridgeport Middle School Principal Aaron Marovich said these field trips give valuable insight.
“Experiences like this help our students see firsthand the opportunities that exist in our region and the many paths available to them after graduation. We appreciate partners like Touchstone and their continued investment in our students, helping them connect what they learn in the classroom to future opportunities. I cannot wait to attend one and see the experiences they bring to students firsthand.”
