In honor of National STEM Day, we are excited to spotlight the outstanding work happening in our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. Since launching the SmartLab at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, we have been empowering students through hands-on experiences that integrate all four steps of each STEM project (Explore, Plan, Reflect, Share).
At St. Anthony, we believe that a STEM education is essential for preparing our students for a dynamic future. The SmartLab provides an inspiring classroom where curiosity is expanded, critical thinking is nourished, and problem-solving becomes second nature. Through access to various technologies and collaborative tools, our students are thriving with creativity, innovation, and teamwork—skills crucial for the careers of tomorrow.
Beth Schlosser, our STEM teacher, shares her perspective: “STEM education equips students with knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities that will support them in future careers. It fosters collaboration and communication skills that will remain essential throughout their professional lives. As technology advances, STEM careers are in high demand and will continue to grow.”
Many projects have taken place already this school year, from exploring mechanics and structures to planning, building, and testing roller coasters, giving our students fundamentals in engineering concepts.
- 3D Design: Using Tinkercad for custom 3D creations.
- Robotics: Programming and maneuvering Robomaster S1 and Dash robots.
- Game Design: Developing games with Makecode Arcade, Code.org, and Roblox Studios.
- Science & Geography: Studying U.S. monster storms, exploring National Parks through Google Maps, and creating travel brochures.
- Media Arts: Scriptwriting, filming with Padcaster, and music production on GarageBand.
- Architecture: Designing homes with Homestyler and building models with Arckit materials.
Our SmartLab gives students a platform to discover and explore the many elements of STEM. As we celebrate National STEM Day, we are proud of our innovative and curious students who are embracing these experiences and building skills for the future.