CedarBridge Academy Hosts Open House
[Written by Anya Thompson]
CedarBridge Academy hosted an open house on Friday, October 18th, welcoming M2 and M3 students from Dellwood Middle School, Francis Patton Primary, Sandys Middle School, Purvis Primary, and Whitney Institute. The event provided a chance for these students to see beyond the information typically found on a school’s website. They observed how faculty, administration, and current students interacted, giving them a genuine feel of what it would be like to become part of the CedarBridge Academy community. The open house allowed prospective students to immerse themselves in the school’s culture, and understand the value of being a part of such an environment.
Throughout the open house, the M2 and M3 students walked in small, orderly groups, visiting various stations where faculty members explained the expectations, projects, and career pathways associated with their courses. The students were introduced to topics covered in Core Courses and STEAM, giving them insight into the curriculum, and enjoyed live demonstrations from departments such as Automotive Technology, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Fashion and Textiles, Electrical Technology, and Physical Education.
At the Electrical Technology station, students were presented with an impressive display of residential circuit wiring solutions. They learned both the theoretical and practical aspects of circuit construction and functionality. Additionally, the middle schoolers had the chance to try their hand at bending electrical metallic tubing into 90-degree and offset angles. They also participated in hand steadiness games, built by CedarBridge students during their own electrical classes, and learned about safety equipment like hard hats, eye protection, safety boots, and fall protection systems, practicing the use of body harnesses and lanyards.
The automotive section of the open house captivated students with a go-kart built by automotive technology students and a fully modified, turbocharged car created for the Bermuda Day Parade. Students also interacted with a car and boat engine display, while automotive diagnostic tools offered them hands-on learning opportunities. Automotive Technology teacher, Mr. Lindsay, gave a detailed demonstration of car suspension systems, using cutaway components to help students understand the inner workings, and showed how spark plugs function with high-tech equipment.
In the Maker Space, students were introduced to a fleet of 3D printers. Mr. Lowe demonstrated how to create a tool holder using the printers, while various student projects were displayed, including a Bermuda bus shed model made from popsicle sticks and small submersible vehicles designed for underwater research.
Dasha Phillips, an M2 student from Sandys Middle School, shared her enthusiasm for the open house, saying, “It was really interactive, and I got to try many samples of food made by students. I loved how the students and teachers showed us the steps to doing things, such as sewing. I really enjoyed the math games and the cosmetology booth.” Her comments highlighted the hands-on, engaging nature of the event.
Nolan Maxwell, another visiting student, was particularly excited by the courses CedarBridge offers in arts and mechanics. “My favorite part was revving the car that was made by a student,” he said, his experience with this program sparked further interest in these courses.
The open house at CedarBridge Academy left a lasting impression on the visiting students, showcasing the broad range of opportunities available and the supportive, dynamic environment they could become a part of.
