Key West Art & Historical Society took Horace O’Bryant Elementary and Middle School ESL students on a history and engineering journey as they delved into the ‘Overseas Railroad’ STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and math) workshop on Wednesday, March 22 at Fort East Martello Museum.

The hands-on workshop, which ordinarily travels to schools throughout South Florida and is funded by a William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust grant, helps students study the engineering practices of Henry Flager’s principle engineer and seasoned bridge builder Joseph Caroll Meredith and help them better understand how the Seven Mile Bridge was built.

The workshop also helped the ESL students practice much needed reading, writing, and speaking skills in “a real world setting as opposed to learning a new language in the isolated confines of the classroom,” says ESL teacher Gary Curry.

“We can’t thank the Key West Art and Historical Society enough for organizing and funding an experience like this for our HOB Middle School English Language Learner population for the second year in a row,” he says. “Without their support, our students would not have the resources to participate in an experience like this out in the community.”

For more information about the new Flagler ‘Overseas Railroad’ traveling – and online – exhibit and STEM-based workshop that took to the road in December of 2016 contact Adele Williams, KWAHS Director of Education at 305.295.6616 extension 115. Your Community. Your Museums. It Takes an Island.