Meadville Masons Sponsor Summer Learning

Published On: November 24th, 2015Categories: News

Credit:  Michael Cain, M. Ed. & R. Jospeh Haberlin, D.D.G.M. 25

Right at the beginning of summer, when most kids are heading for vacation, over 20 young people spent one week of their summer vacation returning to school. But not just an ordinary school. It is the Ben Franklin School of Industry. With a skill set based focus and project driven curriculum, students were immersed in a dynamic and rich educational experience at no cost to themselves or their families.

Local businesses, community members, Allegheny College, Eastern Star Chapter No. 44, Crawford Lodge No. 234 and Lodge No. 408 made it possible by sponsoring the Ben Franklin School of Industry. Founded on the concepts of learning and living of our Masonic Brother, Benjamin Franklin, the teaching strategies are based on Greek experiential learning and the theory that people construct their own knowledge and skills sets rather than a predetermined group of courses.

Inspired by a report by Steven Onyeiwu, an Allegheny College Economics Professor, which brought to light a skills gap affecting the businesses of the region, the Freemasons of the 25th District developed an educational program and housed it at the Meadville Area Masonic Center. Designed to find good young people with a willingness to learn and work, it gave these students opportunities to develop real world skills that will make them employable and fill the area skills gap.

June of 2014 saw the introduction of the week long pilot program. It proved to be a resounding success with 100% attendance and project competition by 17 students. The program was centered on building working catapults and hitting targets. It did just that by propelling the fledgling program into a year-long educational learning community that is now entering its second year.

In 2015, the program grew in both size and scope. The highlights of the program included a study of wetlands utilization with Calvin Ernst, founder of Ernst seeds, and a tour of both C&J Industries and the Ernst farm. Students built various small machines and went so far as to create working wind turbines that lit model houses. For physical education, all students had daily archery class and instruction. Students also worked with Aquaponics systems to create a self-sustaining food cycle in addition to many other activities. Small product assembly and production was practiced with enjoyable crafts.

“I was very impressed with the project. Meadville Masons should be very proud!” said Bro. Joe Haberlen, District Deputy Grand Master of the 25th Masonic District.

Students that attend the School of Industry have been awarded apprenticeships and some have led to full time employment. All students report that their performance at the school played a part in their job acquisition.

“The school is more of a learning community. It is a place where the goal and achieving the goal make students out of all of us and give many a chance to be instructors,” reported Mike Cain, the director of the school. The school relies on donations to support its efforts. They are currently working to expand the program and hope to include more 21st skills, such as solar energy and 3D printing.

The schools website can be viewed at www.bfsindustry.com.