HARTFORD, CT.— The Learning Corridor's Hartford Magnet Middle School (HMMS) announces the grand opening of their new Ensign-Bickford Science Laboratory on Wednesday, March 26 th at 1:00 PM. With the help of her students, Mrs. Delores Bolton, Principal of HMMS will present Ensign-Bickford with their new laboratory and thank them for their donation. Accepting on behalf of Ensign-Bickford Industries will be Ralph H. Harnett, President and CEO. Speaking from the company's world headquarters in Simsbury , Harnett said, “Our Company has a long and proud history of fostering education in the material sciences and feels that this laboratory in the Learning Corridor is a significant addition to the Greater Hartford Community”.
           The Ensign-Bickford laboratory's curriculum is a multisensory, multimodal experience enhanced by challenging hands-on activities with critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork based on real world applications. The laboratory has groundbreaking new technology that will impact students and prepare them for the next generation of math and science.
          The incorporation of a synergistic systems lab will set the Hartford Magnet Middle School apart from other middle schools emphasizing science and technology. The lab will allow the students to spend half of their class time in a traditional class/lab/activity environment allowing for discussions and half of their class time in the synergistic lab stressing cooperative learning and independence. According to Delores Bolton, “This combination of learning experiences will serve as a model for middle school instructors throughout the city and the state”. She believes the inclusion of a synergetic systems lab will be a catalyst for middle school curriculum change. The event will consist of a small one-hour program with light lunch served after. Photo opportunities will be available.
          The Learning Corridor is a 16-acre campus consisting of a unique cluster of schools; the Montessori Magnet Elementary School, Hartford Magnet Middle School, the Greater Hartford Academy of Math & Science, and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts all managed by the Capitol Region Education Council. Also included on the campus are support programs for the youth-- a Boys and Girls Club and the Aetna Center for Families. The Learning Corridor will be blending public health concepts into the educational instruction for students, faculty, parents and the entire community. There is no other public school campus in the country that combines these elements. The Learning Corridor was developed by a collaborative effort called the Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (SINA), composed of Hartford Hospital , the Institute of Living , Connecticut Children's Medical Center , Trinity College , and Connecticut Public Radio, along with the State of Connecticut and the City of Hartford .