Students Spend School Day Experiencing Historic Wurlitzer Organ

Athens, W.Va. – GEAR UP SWV students in Mercer County are participating in an exciting new educational opportunity: STEAM in Action: The Granada Theater Pipe Organ Experience for Young People. This week, the iconic Granada Theater is hosting a unique program designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young minds through an immersive exploration of the theater’s historic Wurlitzer pipe organ. This collaboration is part of GEAR UP SWV’s ongoing commitment to providing innovative, hands-on experiences for southern West Virginia students that cultivate a college-going culture, step by step.

At the heart of the program is Dr. Darrell Bailey, a renowned music professor from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), who will lead in-theater lessons demonstrating the intersection of art and science through the Wurlitzer organ. Students will learn how the organ functioned as a key source of entertainment during the early days of cinema, all while diving into key STEAM principles in a fun and engaging setting.

• Montcalm High School 8th graders attended on October 8, 2024 from 9am-11am
• Glenwood Middle School 8th graders attended on October 8, 2024 from 12pm-2pm
• Bluefield Middle School 8th graders attended on October 9, 2024 from 9am-11 am
• Princeton Middle School 8th graders attended on October 9, 2024 from 12pm-2pm
• On October 10, 2024 from 9am-11am, PikeView Middle School 8th graders will attend
• On October 10, 2024 from 12pm-2pm, Princeton Senior High School 9th graders will attend

In addition to learning about the Granada Theater’s historic organ, students are building their own miniature pipe organ using Orgel Kids USA kits right in the theatre. These hands-on kits will allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanics and artistry behind organ construction, reinforcing the STEAM concepts introduced during the program. For more information about Orgel Kids USA, visit Orgel Kids USA.

A Collaborative Effort

This opportunity for Mercer County students is a collaboration between several different programs, including GEAR UP SWV, Orgel Kids USA, and the Granada Theatre. Together, this project will increase attendance in school and inspire Mercer County students by combining hands-on learning with the power of creativity and historical insight, helping students see the connections between the past, present, and future of technology and art.

For more information on this event or GEAR UP SWV, please contact Mercer County GEAR UP SWV Coordinator, Gail Webb, at 276-970-0815.