Following the completion of construction of the St. Joan of Arc Field House, there was empty space in the old Donnellan weight room. To fill this vacancy, St. Pius X is currently constructing a state-of-the-art STEM lab that will primarily be used by the robotics program but open to any class that wishes to use the space.
Construction of the lab began at the start of the school year and has been moving swiftly. “It could be that their construction could be done as early as the end of October,” said Dean of Academics Mr. Jason Eaglen, one of the leaders of the project. “We’re hoping to get people in there for the second term.”
The STEM lab was designed with Tonnie Cassandra, Department Chair of Business and Computer Science, and her robotics class in mind, giving the students a dedicated and open space to construct their robots and promote creativity. Starting next year, all freshmen will spend two weeks learning and developing skills in robotics as part of their Intro to Digital Technology class.
With this robotics addition, all future St. Pius X students will have the opportunity to use the new space, fostering more student engagement in the field of robotics. The new lab has prompted discussions about adding engineering and potentially architectural programs to the curriculum, now that there will be a dedicated space for them.
Although the lab was originally a weight room, major renovations have been made and will continue until the project is complete. The most significant change will be the removal of the back wall, which will be replaced with a wall of windows, allowing for natural light and adding to the industrial feel of the space. The windows will open to a covered outdoor workspace, providing a designated area for tasks requiring power tools. Inside the classroom, there will be an arena to practice with the robots, along with two different types of work tables, each serving a different purpose for the students.
The construction of the STEM lab has been a collective effort by faculty members from all departments at St. Pius. President Aaron Parr was able to seek help from the leaders of the STEM lab at Georgia Tech, who provided advice on creating an open space and selecting essential materials for the lab. Director of Advancement Mrs. Jenn Sedlack and Business Manager Mrs. Kim Woods have assisted with budgeting and financing these large projects. Specifically, Mrs. Sedlack successfully earned a grant from the Claire Foundation, which served as the majority donor for the development of the lab. Other faculty members contributing ideas and overseeing the construction include Art Teacher Mrs. Erin Freeman, Department Chair of Instructional Technology Dr. Marian Rosenberg, and Director of Facilities Mr. Blaise Wannemacher, reflecting the collaborative nature of the lab’s creation, with each member contributing their vision to the space.
With construction nearing completion, excitement among faculty and students is rising, garnering more respect and interest, opening a new chapter for St. Pius robotics and future STEM programs. Stay tuned for further updates and the eventual opening of the STEM lab.
