Unquowa School student Sisso Makhraz shows off his team's project, now on display at the Fairfield Museum and History Center.

Photo Credit: Greg Canuel

From left, Isaiah Shelton, Michael Draper, Rachael Anzalone and Sisso Makhraz pose with their project.

Photo Credit: Greg Canuel

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Many experts have tried to develop a plan to make the city of Bridgeport more sustainable heading into the 21st century: mayors, architects, developers and the more. But the latest group might just have some of the most interesting ideas, even if they’re not in high school yet.

Eighth-graders from Fairfield’s Unquowa School worked together on a project with fifth-grade students at Bridgeport’s New Beginnings Family Academy. The two groups of kids spent the last few months studying the history of architecture and urban development using Bridgeport as a real-world example. They also learned about Bridgeport’s cultural history and how it could work into models for the future.

“The collaborative process of creative and critical thinking that our students went through to come up with these viable urban revitalization options was a powerful learning experience,” said Sharon Lauer, head of Unquowa School.

The two classes teamed on a set of proposals on how to turn Bridgeport back into a thriving city. The students split into groups, each tasked with devising a plan for an abandoned building on Main Street and working it into a plan for a new, sustainable city.

“This project illustrates the students’ understanding of the importance of historic preservation and revitalization of neighborhoods and linking the heritage of the past with the community needs of the present,” said Christine Jewell, director of education and community programs at the Fairfield Museum and History Center, which co-sponsored the program.

The kids worked their ideas into creative projects such as poems and paintings. They also used 3D modeling software to devise new floor plans for buildings to replace old structures or vacant lots.

For example, New Beginnings students Tracey Small, Isaiah Shelton and Michael Draper worked with Unquowa’s Rachael Anzalone and Sisso Makhraz on a plan for a onetime Bridgeport landmark, the Majestic Theater. The five students decided that the best use of the Majestic’s large space was to create the “Lend a Helping Hand Shelter,” to give aid to the homeless and others in need.  

“We thought we could do new with the theater, transform it into something different,” Michael said. Sisso added, “While still trying to keep the classic look.”

Other ideas included turning a vacant lot across the street from the Majestic into an apartment complex or another empty brownfield nearby into a farmers’ market. In all, the groups produced about a half-dozen ideas for the city.

The Unquowa and New Beginnings student presentations are on display in their own exhibit it at the Fairfield Museum and History Center at 370 Beach Road. The exhibit opens Friday and will run through April 22.