In Spring 2019, Bishop Montgomery was thrilled to learn that, through the leadership and generosity of Shea Family Charities, construction on two much-awaited STEAM centers could begin. Construction was scheduled to start at the end of the school year, but with COVID-19 forcing students to moving off-campus for 100% online learning, demolition on the existing space began in early June. What current students and many alumni previously knew as the PC Lab (Room 203), the Mac Lab (Room 205), and Mr. Adam's and Mr. Echevarria's offices in the second building, as well as Room 301 and the Activities Office in the third building, have now become new, dedicated spaces for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics on campus. Brian Adams, BMHS’ Technology Curriculum Integration Specialist, is excited for these new spaces and how they will "provide our students with ideal environments and opportunities for hands-on experimentation, creativity, and real-world problem-solving, all while developing a wide range of 21st century skills.”
Room 203 and 205, in Bishop's second building, have been re-imagined into new two new labs: an engineering/maker lab with 3-D printers, PC computers, and a drill press, and a robotics lab complete with a competition-size field. In the library, after a wall removal and redefinition of space, Mr. Adam's office and a previous storage area will now house our new World Languages and eSports lab, complete with a bay of PC computers. Designed as a flex space, it will also be a classroom for AP Computer Science and AP Capstone students. In the east wing of the third building, Room 301 and the adjacent Activities Office are being transformed into a new Mac/Digital Arts Lab-- home to our digital arts and yearbook classes, as well as BMHS' student newspaper Knightlife. Construction on these new STEM spaces is expected to be completed in early September and will be ready when our students' return to campus for in-person instruction.
One of the benefits of the new labs is not only top-notch learning spaces, but also the versatility that they will provide. In fact, a priority in the project's design phase was creating fluid spaces that would help develop and refine skill sets necessary for life beyond high school. Realizing BMHS' goals for student success extend far beyond classroom or laboratory walls, the new spaces have been designed to support much more than just academic acumen. “Our mission is to teach all students who attend Bishop Montgomery to be good stewards, not just of life, but of technology and innovation,” says Principal Dr. James Garza. “It is our desire to have all students be the embodiment of a 21st century learner who is guided by the teachings of Jesus. These renovations will enhance our ability to provide them with the tools they need to be an empowered learner, innovative designer, computational thinker, creative communicator and global collaborator with an education steeped in a Catholic worldview.”