DMA--Greenbank Mill Honors Engineering Course
The Delaware Military Academy (DMA) partners with the Greenbank Mill Associates (GMA) to offer a Greenbank Mill honors engineering course that provides Cadets with a hands-on opportunity to gain real-world skills, while helping to restore the 16th century mill. Since 2003, the Cadets have contributed more than 3,200 hours of community service —the equivalent of over $10,000 worth of restoration work. Through this partnership, which focuses on the history, science, and technology of mill’s era, Cadets learn advanced math, science, and problem-solving skills.
How does it work?
- The 12-16-week Greenbank Mill course at the Delaware Military Academy immerses Cadets into the expectations and lab components of a college-level engineering course. Students participate in a weekly two-hour after-school classroom session on Wednesdays and Thursdays and a four-hour lab at the Mill on Saturdays. The course, taught by historians, engineers, and mathematicians, focuses on the history, engineering, physics, and the ecological and social impacts of the era. Cadets learn how limited resources were used in the 16th century to create something that is tangible and long-lasting. The curriculum is aligned with applicable Delaware State Standard for Education. The course is approved by the Department of Education so Cadets can earn a credit hour toward graduation.
What are the results?
- This school-community partnership has contributed greatly to the Mill restoration effort as well as to the Cadets’ academic experience. The relationships and skills fostered between the Cadets and the GMA have also helped two students to acquire internships at the Delaware Historical Society.
- Course instructors report that Cadets gain an appreciation for history by participating in Greenbank Mill course: “By the end of the course the Cadets have a new found respect for the processes utilized in an era that formerly they could not comprehend. By physically performing the work like the men and women did in the 1700s, they realize that our education is a direct result of the great minds from an earlier past.” Cadets also gain a deep knowledge of the properties of stone, wood, and metal by performing the physical labor to reconstruct and restore the mill.
- The Greenbank Mill course has helped improve Cadets’ ability to use varying problem solving techniques on real-world problems. Commenting recently on the program, one Cadet said, “It is not like most things that you learn once then never use again. What I’ve learned once [in the course] I’ve used 20,000 times.” Positive feedback from students and parents has dramatically increased the popularity of the course at the DMA, which now has a waiting list to manage the high demand.
- Congratulations to the Delaware Military Academy for its 2008 Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Superstars in Education award recognizing this unique program!
How does Vision 2015 address school-community partnerships?
Vision 2015 recommends:
- Expand real-world learning opportunities
- Create a pool of funds to strengthen school-community and school-business partnerships
Where can I learn more?
Delaware Military Academy
Greenbank Mill
