The $2M Manoogian STEAM Center

The A.G.B.U. Alex & Marie Manoogian School was founded on the core belief that we provide our students with a rigorous and engaging curriculum that prepares them for college, career, and overall success.

The innovative 4,000 sq. ft. Manoogian STEAM Center opened in Fall 2022 as part of the school’s leadership’s commitment to providing a unique hands-on learning environment in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics.

Dr. Hosep Torossian, the former principal of Manoogian School High School and a successful chemical engineer by trade, developed the vision for the Manoogian STEAM Center. Here, students learn about careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics and are well-prepared for college.

Where Students Are Inspired to Explore, Create, and Grow

The courses and activities delivered in the center cover a variety of subjects, including, but not limited to:

  • Graphic arts
  • Computer-aided design (CAD)
  • Computer programming/coding
  • Biotechnology
  • Circuit board design
  • Automotive engineering
  • Electric vehicles
  • Robotics
  • Solar technology

“This new STEAM building is a dream come true for the Manoogian School,” Dr. Torossian said. “We’ll have what we call ‘clean’ programs like graphic arts and coding as well as ‘dirty’ programs that require mechanical processes like cutting and grinding, for the automotive and robotics engineering activities. All of our students, from kindergarten through high school, will benefit from these classes.”

The Story Behind Our STEAM Program

“At the beginning, we had no designated space. We made do with the rooms we had and we built the electric car. When we finished building it, we realized we couldn’t get it out through the door. We had to disassemble it.” 

In spite of prior space limitations, the Manoogian School’s after-school robotics program has won several awards over the last seven years, all while building strong relationships with colleges and community organizations that support this important effort.

STEAM Program Prepares Graduates for the Future

Students who participate in the Manoogian School’s automotive and robotics programs have benefited from the experience with more than a piqued interest in science. This opportunity gives our students an advantage for college applications and scholarships. The 2022 senior class includes ten students accepted into the University of Michigan engineering program. Several 2022 graduates were accepted to Brown University, Dartmouth College, UPenn, and Tufts University. Two Manoogian seniors were awarded full scholarships for Notre Dame.  

The Manoogian STEAM Center is funded by the Manoogian Educational Fund (administered by its President Dickran Kurjian) and the Armenian Apostolic Society.