Novi City in Spotlight as Catholic Central High School Unveils $61M Advanced STEM Center
Novi City, a renowned spot in Oakland County, has reason to celebrate as the Catholic Central High School unveils a remarkable, state-of-the-art STEM center. A whopping $61 million was invested in the center which boasts an observatory equipped with a daylight-sensing telescope, 5,300-square foot space for robotics competitions, and an incredibly high-tech aviation simulator.
The impressive RedBird 180° Flight Simulator is a massive hit in the new center. It gives the students a chance to try their hands at flying around 20 different aircraft. Interestingly, the Ground School program at Catholic Central, where the senior Charlie Dierkes is making his flying dreams a reality, uses the same type of simulation that Air Force pilots train with. This is possible through the collaboration with Cross Winds Aviation.
What’s even better? The simulation hours are FAA certified and can help students advance towards achieving their pilot’s license. Amy Ely, director of STEM at the school, shared her enthusiasm and expressed her hope for students getting more practice before they hit the skies for real.
In addition to the flight simulator, the center takes pride in an advanced robotics setup. The students have the liberty to operate, program, and even build their own robots in the machine lab. Ely asserts that the machine lab will be open to other robotics teams without similar resources, under an initiative called ‘Shop Mentors Saturdays.’
The star-gazing enthusiasts also have a reason to rejoice. The observatory dome in the STEM center allows students to track stars, photograph them, and use the images for studies. In a generous move, the school is planning to host ‘Star Parties’ to share real space images with the public.
In conclusion, with such an advanced setup, Catholic Central High School is setting a new precedent in STEM education among schools in the region. It not only enhances the learning experiences of its students but extends warmth and goodwill to other aspiring students in the wider Oakland County.
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI 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.
