In Novi, Michigan, the largest private school in the state, Detroit Catholic Central High School, has just cut the ribbon on an impressive $61 million science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) center. This colossal project is set to provide students with a hearty array of unique learning facilities, offering an immersive experience in the exciting world of STEM.
The newly inaugurated George and Mary Turek Hall of Science is a sprawling 57,000 square-foot structure. The expansion was funded primarily by George Turek, an alumnus of the class of 1966, this brand-new beacon of knowledge is designed to last a century. The expansive facility showcases an array of technological marvels such as an aviation suite, a fabrication and machinery shop, and even a sustainably focused greenhouse.
The STEM center, which is shaped like a ‘U’, is designed for easy navigation for the students. The vision of the design took inspiration from many colleges, notably the Jordan Hall of Science at the University of Notre Dame. This would enable students to easily navigate through the facility, helping them quickly access the wide range of resources available.
One of the unique offerings at the Catholic Central High School is its flight training program. The primary aim of the program is to train students to become certified pilots. The campus showcases several flight simulators to help students earn necessary flight hours for their licenses. In fact, it is the only private school in southeast Michigan to offer such an immersive aviation education program.
What’s more, they have their very own advanced robotics program and a dedicated field for robotics competition. Here students gain firsthand experience in building robots and participating in robot competitions. This initiative aims to help students elevate their creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
Hanging high above the competition field is a captivating retired U.S. Navy Blue Angels jet. This venerable aircraft, which is the crowning glory of the field, once belonged to a military pilot and is now suspended above the robotics competition field as a symbol of inspiration to the students.
Among the other exciting features in the STEM center include an advanced rooftop observatory. The observatory has telescopic equipment specialised for detailed celestial research, equipped with a GPS computerized Celestron telescope which can even allow students to perform real-time stargazing sessions. Furthermore, the school has partnered with NASA to share data and further enhance the learning experience for its students.
While the sleek design and impressive offering of facilities within the STEM center are certainly exciting, the school’s initiatives to engage the wider community are even more commendable. They plan to open up their robotics competition field to other schools and are exploring to host various community events using the observatory and immersion theater.
Overall, the $61 million STEM center at Detroit Catholic Central High School is an admirable stride towards educating and inspiring the young minds of their community. This state-of-the-art investment is set to be a place of exploration, innovation, and collective learning experiences for many generations to come.
