CJ Catholic makes room for STEMM center

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Chaminade Julienne is opening a center it believes will inspire generations to come.  In August 2013, students will have access to a premier science, technology, engineering, math and medicine education. 

Leaders of Chaminade Julienne brought this idea to the table six years ago.  They began planning in 2009 and on Wednesday it came to fruition.  The entire second floor of the Catholic school will be renovated. 

"The CJ STEMM Center will provide students with the experience of working in a facility that better prepares them for college and to be leaders among their peers," said Principal Daniel Meixner.

CJ Junior Kaitlyn Cartone has dreams of becoming a pediatrician and believes the innovation labs with project areas will help her achieve that goal.  

"I'm definitely excited we aren't going to be so cramped into that one room and now we won't have to go out into the hall to get into the STEMM lab," said Cartone. 

Principal Daniel Meixner said it will enhance the school's current curriculum for engineering and biomedical sciences.  The renovation will transform current classrooms and labs into a state-of-the-art center featuring expanded learning spaces, innovation labs with project areas, teacher prep areas, a fabrication shop, and a distance learning center. 

"We have asked God's guidance from the inception of the CJ STEMM Center and we now ask for his blessing through this time of transformation and preparation for our August opening

The renovation comes with a $4 million price tag, all made possible by the donations of 30 anonymous individuals from the CJ community.