Students' Innovative Learning Projects at Pemetic Came in Candy Wednesday
School Held Inaugural French Chocolate Market at Birch Bay Village
BAR HARBOR AND SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Groundbreaking. Educational. Full of chocolate?
One of those things doesn’t seem quite like the others, but this past week as the Pemetic Elementary School blended student innovation with community engagement they all meshed perfectly, becoming a groundbreaking, educational project that blended kids, chocolate, and Birch Bay Village.
Students in the sixth and seventh grades presented a one-of-a-kind chocolate market at Birch Bay Village. The event showcased the student’s hard work and creativity, emphasizing the school's commitment to hands-on learning experiences that bridge generational gaps.
Guided by French teacher Ed Michaud and Technology Integrator Mike Brzezowski, pairs of students embarked on unique projects that combined culinary arts, French culture, and the latest in technological advancements.
Brzezowski purchased Merckens and other chocolate: 5 pounds of dark, 5 pound of milk, and 5 pounds of white chocolate. They also used about 100 ounces of food-safe silicone to create the molds. Students also used the school’s laser that it received through the MDOE's #teachwithtech grant to cut all of the parts to build mold boxes for the chocolate bars.
The making began.
“Students worked in teams of two to design and produce chocolate bars and wrappers that encapsulated elements of French symbology, culture, and history. Utilizing the school's state-of-the-art Makerspace, these young innovators demonstrated the powerful role of 3D printing in modern education,” a press release from the school said.
“The process involved students first creating a 3D design of a chocolate bar, which was then printed using the school’s 3D printers. This prototype was used to make a silicone mold, essential for shaping the final chocolate bars from melted chocolate. The students’ creativity shone through in the custom wrappers that encased each chocolate bar, turning them into edible pieces of art and history.”
And after all that work, they went to Birch Bay and created the market.
“Real-world applications of learning are what stick with students. They were not just learning random words and phrases in French class, they were making a product and working to learn how they would get across the ideas they wanted to share. It was a concrete use for French language for them,” Brzezowski said.
THE MARKET
It ended in celebration.
“Wednesday was great,” Brzezowski said. “The students loved getting to share their projects and talking to the residents. The staff and residents at Birch Bay were equally thrilled. I was told that the place was abuzz talking about it afterwards.”
How abuzz? So abuzz that they want to do more. And it doesn’t even have to involve chocolate next time.
Brzezowski talked to Birch Bay staff about other ways to connect the young students with the seniors there.
“We talked about possible Story Corps podcasting as an option. There were also a lot of residents who were fluent in French, which made Ed Michaud and I think about other ways we can connect to benefit both the students and residents.”
According to a statement by Brzezowski, “This market reflects Pemetic Elementary's dedication to offering interdisciplinary education that connects students with both their community and the broader world.”
It’s Also About Connection
The event was about more than chocolate. It was even about more than education or 3D design or French. It was also about connections and fostering those connections through chocolate.
“The Chocolate Market at Birch Bay Village represents an exciting opportunity for students to engage with the community, particularly with the residents of Birch Bay Village. A student will lead a presentation on the project, offering insights into their creative process and answering questions. This initiative aims to spark meaningful conversations and connections between students and the elder community members,” Brzezowski said.
People browsed the "Chocolate Market," perused the bars and their beauty, and also talked to the students.
“This event is not only a celebration of the students’ achievements but also a testament to the vibrant community spirit of Southwest Harbor and its surroundings,” Brzezowski said.
That’s part of what Brzezowski loved about the project.
“I love two things. One, we connected youth with their elders. The pandemic has broken so many of those connections and I want to help build that connection back up for the benefit of all,” he said. “Second, I loved how we designed and produced such a complex product right here in our Makerspace. It is almost unbelievable that students went from a concept to a finished chocolate that looked like something you would buy in a store.”
About Pemetic Elementary School
Situated in Southwest Harbor, Maine, Pemetic Elementary School is committed to delivering an education that fosters innovation, creativity, and practical skills. By integrating technology and arts into the curriculum, the school endeavors to prepare students for a successful future.
All photos courtesy of Mike Brzezowski
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