Novi Introduces $61M State-of-the-Art STEM Center at Catholic Central High School
It’s been an exciting week for students in Novi, as Catholic Central High School proudly showcased its brand new $61 million STEM center.
The innovative center comes packed with a series of groundbreaking features. Notably, the center houses an observatory and telescope that enables the spotting of stars even in broad daylight, a 5,300-square-foot robotics competition space, and an aviation simulator.
The RedBird 180° Flight Simulator is a key highlight of the center. This enables students to practice flying an impressive range of 20 different aircraft. Through the Ground School program in Catholic Central, these young aviators are able to train on the same types of simulations used by Air Force pilots.
According to Amy Ely, the school’s director of STEM, all the training hours in these simulators are FAA certified. This means that students can add these hours toward their pilot’s license, and gain more practice before they hit the skies.
The STEM center doesn’t stop at aviation. It also includes a state-of-the-art machine lab for building robots. Here, students can program and operate their own creations. It’s especially exciting that the school plans to open this machine lab to other robotics teams that may not have access to such advanced equipment.
Moreover, the observatory dome is given a special focus. It’s perfectly equipped for students to view, track, and photograph stars, later using these images to enrich their in-class learning experience.
In an exciting move for the wider Novi community, Catholic Central says it plans to host Star Parties later this year. These events will showcase real images of space that have been captured by the students – an exciting glimpse into the cosmos!
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
NOVI STAFF WRITER The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
