The Manoogian STEAM Center is Open for Classes
The A.G.B.U. Alex & Marie Manoogian School was founded on a core belief that we should serve our students with a rigorous and engaging curriculum that prepares them for college, career, and overall success in their lives.
As part of that commitment, we opened the Manoogian STEAM Center in Fall 2022. This center enhances our efforts to provide students with a diverse background in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).
The Manoogian STEAM Center
Students K-12 take classes in the new 4,000 sq. ft. STEAM Center. It houses courses and activities covering 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
For the last several years, the Manoogian School’s high school principal Dr. Hosep Torossian and educator Steve Scott have led an after-school, hands-on automotive robotics program, to encourage scholars to develop their technical skills and inspire interest in engineering careers.
“We’re creating future engineers by sharing these experiences with our students,” Dr. Torossian shared. “When Steve Scott joined us as a teacher, he started the after-school program focused on automotive engineering, specifically electric vehicles and robotics.”
Dr. Torossian is a chemical engineer by trade, and he is passionate about automotive engineering. He’s committed to exposing all Manoogian students to the wide range of exciting career possibilities that are available to those with an engineering or technical interest.
Between 25 and 30% of Manoogian students graduate from high school with the intention of pursuing an engineering career.
Manoogian scholars have enjoyed the challenge of innovative after-school projects, like building an electric car from the ground up. While the group began with only six students, now there are 30 engaged students with about half of the participants being female.
“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.