What does it mean for a teenager to truly belong in their community? For the 85 students in Mr. Paul Satchwill’s Honors English 10 classes at Batesville High School, the answer wasn’t found in a textbook—it was built through six weeks of rigorous, real-world problem solving.
Through a comprehensive Project-Based Learning (PBL) initiative, students were challenged to design a “Third Space”: a community hub that exists outside of the home (first space) and school (second space) where young people can gather, create, and grow.
Connecting Classroom to Community
Students operated as professional consulting firms, aligning their work with Bulldog Ready Community Pathways. Each group approached the challenge through a specific lens—including Engineering, Business, Agriculture, Health Sciences, and Digital Design—to ensure their proposals were as technically sound as they were imaginative.
Over the course of six weeks, students conducted local peer surveys, analyzed global case studies of successful youth centers, and drafted detailed blueprints. They moved beyond abstract ideas to create “Live Programs”—actionable workshops and events that could be launched immediately in existing Batesville locations like the Memorial Public Library or the YMCA.
Professional Stakes and Real-World Feedback
The project culminated in high-stakes professional pitches. Students traded their backpacks for business casual attire and stood before a panel of community experts to defend their visions. These presentations required more than just good grades; they required fiscal responsibility, logistical planning, and the ability to answer tough questions about the economic future of Batesville.
“The goal was to move students from ‘student mode’ to ‘expert mode,’” said Satchwill. “By connecting their work to the actual pathways they are interested in pursuing, they saw how their classroom skills translate directly into community impact.”
A Special Thanks to Our Partners
The success of the Third Space Initiative was made possible by the dedicated community leaders who volunteered their time to serve as panelists. Their feedback provided students with an invaluable “bridge” between high school academics and professional reality.
BHS extends a sincere thank you to:
Mayor John Irrgang, City of Batesville
Ginnie Faller, Business Advisor, ISBDC / Economic Development Commission
Amy Pretzer, Executive Director, Batesville Main Street
Kim Porter, Library Director, Batesville Memorial Public Library
By engaging with these leaders, BHS students proved that they aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow—they are active, innovative stakeholders in the Batesville of today.
About Bulldog Ready: The Third Space project is a hallmark of BHS’s commitment to Bulldog Ready, a framework designed to ensure students are prepared for life after graduation through authentic, community-connected learning experiences.
