Skip To Main Content

Mobile Main Nav

Landing Nav

BREADCRUMB

STEM & Innovation

Innovation and Digital Making Lab

Our STEM & Innovation education prepares students to be college and career-ready as STEM-proficient members of society by...

  • Creating coursework that integrates content and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

  • Placing special emphasis on unique STEM educational experiences

  • Focusing on hands-on learning with real-world applications

  • Helping students hone critical thinking skills

  • Developing a curriculum to build creativity that leads to innovation

  • Promoting the development of problem-solving skills

  • Forming unique partnerships with organizations to enhance our students' STEM & Innovation learning experience

Our students enjoy the benefits of 3D printers, e-gaming equipment, and state-of-the-art science, chemistry, and innovation tools.

Our new Science & Innovations Center has:

► Five science labs for biology, chemistry, and physics

► A cybersecurity lab

► An entrepreneurship center

► A Shark Tank

► A recording studio

► CITE (Creativity, Imagination, Technology, Education) Lab

Bishop McNamara has formed Unique STEM Education Partnerships with these outstanding organizations providing collaboration, training, expertise, resources, and opportunities for our students to improve the STEM learning experience and connect with diverse real-world STEM role models.

 

STEM Partnerships

Digital Design & Fabrication
Students prepare to create laser printer projects in the CITE Lab
Patrick Skerpon details the 3D printing process for a project in the Digital Design and Fabrication class. Through hands-on digital making and 3D design, students create games, music, and wearable tech. They explore their creativity by building, experimenting, redesigning, and even hacking to shape their own unique world.
Environmental Science

Our students discover the importance of researching and planting native species around the Outdoor Classroom in their Environmental Science class. They delve into principles, concepts, and methods to grasp the connections within the natural world. They examine both natural and human-caused environmental challenges, alongside potential solutions and preventive strategies.

Cybersecurity
In the study of Cybersecurity, students delve into the traits and strategies of cybercriminals. They also examine the technologies, tools, and methods that cybersecurity experts utilize to fight against cybercrime.

Coding and robotics challenges me in a good way, letting me think about the possibilities of my input and practice trial and error. The Robotics Olympics puts my skills to the test and gives me a goal - to press for the gold medal.  - Daniel Smith '27

Shark Tank/Entrepreneur Center
The Shark Tank helps students demonstrate their skills in critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. They are encouraged to take everyday, real-world problems and develop creative solutions to them.
Engineering
Engineering class Build a Tower

Students engage in engineering design at various levels, tackling both local and global challenges while developing real-world solutions through hands-on, student-focused activities. In this context, they are exploring the design and structure of their bridge through problem-solving.

Robotics has expanded my understanding of new technology. I enjoy collaborating with classmates while programming robots, envisioning the future of technology through this activity.  - Anastasia Jackson '26

Robotics
Robotics - student creates lego robot
Students learn such skills as building robots and writing code to make them move and perform tasks. Teacher Dr. Abigail Greer directed her students to build Lego robots, write the code to make it move, and then observe the robot as it does what it's been "told" to do.
Quantum Computing
Quantum Computing class
Dr. Jessica Rosenberg and Dr. Benjamin Dreyfus from the College of Science at George Mason University's Physics & Astronomy department recently joined our Quantum Computing class to explore various learning activities, including an engaging quantum board game. In this college-level course, our students delve into linear algebra, probability, and Python coding, equipping themselves to code quantum gates and circuits, implement quantum algorithms, and execute code on a quantum computer.
Chemistry
Students performing experiments in Chemistry Lab
Students have the opportunity to explore chemical principles, enhance their scientific skills, and gain hands-on experience. Our Chemistry Lab provides an engaging environment for students to delve into chemical concepts, observe changes in matter, and build their scientific expertise.

ROBOT OLYMPICS: LEARNING THROUGH COMPETITION

Our robotics students recently engaged in an innovative review project for the Carnegie Mellon assessment. This certification exam is prepared for five different robotic events, collectively know as the "Robot Olympics."

Key highlights of the Robot Olympics:
  • Students compete against each other in various challenges
  • The competition serves as a comprehensive review of their certification exam
  • Participants utilize block coding in the robotics platform
  • The event combines the excitement of competition with practical exam preparation
Design & Build Challenge 2024
Students from schools across DC and Maryland gathered for a thrilling Design & Build Challenge hosted in our La Reine Science & Innovation Center CITE Lab at Bishop McNamara.  They put their creativity to the test, collaborating and constructing models of self-sustainable devices.

STEM Course Catalog

Course Selections