Brunswick Middle School students explore career options through college and career readiness labs

BRUNSWICK — Eighth graders at Brunswick Middle School have explored a variety of jobs this school year through hands-on labs intended to ignite their interest in a potential future career. A group of community members were invited to the middle school to watch the students in action at the school's college and career readiness labs on Wednesday. Director of Instruction and Innovation Pat Geschke said guidance counselor Kathy Rhoads came to school administration with a vision she had after seeing college and career lab modules from Paxton Patterson. "(She) said, 'This is something that we need to bring to Brunswick because it's something that's great for kids,'" Geschke said. The curriculum includes labs like cosmetology and barbering, electricity and electronics, flight and drone technology, home maintenance fundamentals, nursing, robotics, video production and veterinary medicine. He said a lot of the modules were picked because they aligned with what is offered at the Medina County Career Center, so students could continue pursuing that pathway if they develop an interest. "When I think about this program and the experiences that our kids are having, it's unbelievable," Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer said. Paxton Patterson Senior Educational Consultant Christy Rogers said students work in pairs, and they will spend about two weeks on a module. Each time students are in a module, they will complete writing assignments, work on applied math and core concepts, pursue career exploration and do a personal reflection. "They're aligned to industry and state standards," she said. "They're relevant and authentic. These are not toys, and they are not kits. They are real 10-hour experiences." Brunswick Middle School is one of only a handful of labs in Ohio, Rogers said. A goal of the labs is for students to find their natural talents, skills, interests and aptitudes. "We're not asking them to pick a pathway," she said. "We're asking them to explore as many as possible, so when they get to the next step, and they're asked to make some decisions, they will have true information." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.