St Benedict’s College expands pioneering STEM centre
View(s):In a significant stride towards modernizing education, St Benedict’s College, Kotahena, inaugurated Chambers 2 and 3 of its state-of-the-art STEM Centre on January 9. The new facilities were declared open by the chief guest, Dr Asoka De Silva, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Education (NIE), in a ceremony that underscored the college’s commitment to fostering innovation and future-ready skills among its students.
The event, attended by alumni, educators, parents, and eager students, highlighted the college’s vision to integrate 21st-century learning methodologies across its curriculum. In his opening address, Dr De Silva commended the initiative, stating, “This expansion is not just about new rooms or equipment; it is about expanding the horizons of our students’ minds. St Benedict’s College is setting a commendable example in translating national education reform goals into tangible, experiential learning environments that will nurture the scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers of tomorrow.”
The original STEM Centre, launched in January 2025, revolutionised science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pedagogy for Grade 6 students. Building on its proven success in boosting engagement and learning outcomes, the newly opened chambers are dedicated to students in Grades 7 and 8, ensuring a continuous and advanced learning pathway.
A closer look at the new chambers
Chamber 2 is designed to transform our Grade 7 students into empowered creators through a structured journey of experiential learning. This journey unfolds across three immersive modules: first, in Shoot & Shine, they become digital storytellers, mastering the art of movie making and professional editing. Next, in Arduino Electronics, they progress from programming microcontrollers to sense their environment to building their own interactive gadgets. Finally, in RoboMakers, they synthesise these skills using the Hummingbird Duo to engineer unique robots, evolving from instruction-followers into true inventors. This entire process embodies learning in action—it begins with an idea, then through continuous planning, building, and iteration, students transform abstract concepts into tangible creations. Here, they are not merely memorising facts; they are actively applying knowledge, honing collaboration, and building resilience by persevering through challenges to bring their visionary ideas to life.
In Chamber 3, our Grade 8 students ascend to the role of innovators through a curriculum designed for deep integration and real-world impact. Their journey comprises three advanced modules: in Game Craft, they engage in professional game development, cultivating not only coding expertise but also essential skills in systemic logic, narrative storytelling, and user experience design. This creative foundation extends into Story in Motion, where they master the core principles of animation—such as timing, spacing, and character movement—to bring original narratives to life through digital visual storytelling. The pinnacle is RoboConnect, where robotics converges with the Internet of Things (IoT); here, students build ‘smart robots’ capable of connecting to the internet, collecting data, and being controlled remotely. This module exemplifies our integrated approach in action. For instance, a student building a smart IoT-connected greenhouse will code its operating logic, engineer its physical structure, design a user interface, and analyse the environmental data it collects. This single, ambitious project seamlessly fuses computer science, engineering, biology, and design, empowering students to solve complex, authentic problems. Ultimately, Chamber 3 is where technical skills converge with creative vision to prepare true innovators for the future.
The ceremony included live demonstrations by students, who showcased working robots, 3D-printed prototypes, and data-driven environmental projects, much to the admiration of the attendees.
Rev Bro Niran Perera FSC, representing the college administration, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the project. “This achievement stands as a testament to the unwavering support of our Alumni Associations and our shared belief in a progressive education. Our vision is to ensure every Benedictine is not just a consumer of technology, but an innovator and creator.”
With the successful launch of these chambers, St Benedict’s College solidifies its position at the forefront of educational innovation in Sri Lanka, providing its students with the tools, environment, and inspiration to lead in the global technological landscape.
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