St Benedict’s College advances 21st century learning with new STEM centre
View(s):St Benedict’s College marked a significant milestone in its educational journey with the launch of its 21st century Learning initiative for Grade 6 students in January. As part of this transformational move, the college inaugurated a state-of-the-art STEM Centre designed to equip young learners with the skills essential for the rapidly evolving digital world.
The newly established STEM Centre offers students hands-on learning opportunities in coding, robotics, 3D design, 3D printing, drone technology, and a range of modern digital applications. These learning pathways aim to nurture innovation, critical thinking, and technological fluency among students from an early age.
Recognising the importance of continuous development, the College plans to expand the initiative to Grades 7 and 8 in 2026. This next phase will introduce advanced areas such as electronics and mechatronics, film production and editing, animation creation, and game development. Each of these skill areas has been carefully selected to promote creativity, communication, and problem-solving – competencies that the College leadership emphasised as essential for the 21st-Century learner.
In particular, the College highlighted three key competencies expected to emerge from the next stage of the program. Film making and editing will provide students with a powerful platform for creativity – encouraging them to plan, script, shoot, and edit original visual stories. This discipline teaches young learners to express ideas artistically while mastering complex digital tools. Through animation development, students will enhance their ability to communicate ideas effectively. Animation requires clarity of thought, storytelling skill, and the capacity to break down concepts visually – making it a valuable tool for effective communication in both academic and real-world contexts. Finally, game development will challenge learners to engage in creative problem-solving. Designing a game demands logical thinking, storyboarding, coding knowledge, and the ability to test and refine solutions – skills that are essential for success in a technology-driven future.
To ensure the programme’s success, St Benedict’s College has also prioritised professional learning for its teachers. Currently, a comprehensive teacher-upskilling initiative is underway. Last week, the College commenced its professional learning series in collaboration with MOGO Studios, a subsidiary of the Derana Media Network. During the launch ceremony, Sachitha Kalingamudali, General Manager of Derana Macroentertainment (Pvt) Ltd, underscored the national significance of empowering the younger generation with these emerging skills. He reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting educational initiatives that align with Sri Lanka’s future workforce needs.
The ceremony’s Chief Guest, Dr Asoka de Silva, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Education, drew parallels between the College’s initiative and the forthcoming national education reforms to be implemented for Grade 6. He explained that the reforms place strong emphasis on skill development – particularly in areas that prepare students for the demands of the modern era. Dr. de Silva praised St. Benedict’s College for pioneering such initiatives and noted that the College’s model could be replicated in other schools across the country. He further remarked that teachers who undergo this training today could serve as catalysts in enhancing skills among educators nationwide, and he pledged his support to further this vision.
With its forward-thinking approach, St Benedict’s College stands poised to become a national leader in STEM and digital education – empowering students and teachers alike to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
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