Academics

BNI STREAM Lab

Elite, Fully Integrated STEM Lab

List of 1 items.

  • Bishop Noll Institute's STREAM Lab

    As part of Bishop Noll’s goal to be the first elite, fully integrated STEM high school in Indiana, the BNI STREAM Lab opened in 2019. 
This one-of-a-kind lab features multiple 3D printers, a GlowForge printer, a Makerspace and prototyping lab, along with 30 computers equipped with AutoCAD engineering software. The facility serves as a leading space in Northwest Indiana for teaching STEM curriculum.

Quick Facts

List of 7 items.

  • STREAM is BNI’s version of STEM

    STREAM is BNI’s version of STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math. The curriculum at BNI to incorporate religion (R) and the arts (A) fully integrates two of the school’s curricular hallmarks.

  • Learning Studio & Design Lab

    The lab consists of a learning studio and design lab, with flexible seating allowing students to work collaboratively; a makerspace for more hands-on work and creating prototypes based on original designs; and a prototype studio to build models and use larger equipment as students build final products for display.

  • Following the STEM Program with Religion & Arts Added

    BNI follows the nationally respected STEM curriculum of Project Lead the Way, then adding religion and arts components. (https://www.pltw.org/)

  • The STREAM Lab is put to use with a myriad of creative projects

    On any given day, you may find a death scene staged and student investigators taking notes for the Principles of Biomedical Science course, see students learning to draw blood from a fake phlebotomy arm or watch as the lab’s 3D printer creates the latest student design.

  • STREAM Lab’s Patron Saint: St. Joseph the Worker

    On the north wall of the lab, a 7-by-7 mounted wood sculpture of St. Joseph the Worker complete with mallet, carpenter’s square and designs representing the six elements of STREAM and entitled Guide us, St. Joseph overlooks the STREAM lab. The artwork sculpted over nine months by Christopher Klocek '77 featured 1,082 pieces of wood of more than 20 different species.

  • Renovations

    The renovation fully converted the school’s former pool area, which had not been used for swimming in more than 20 years. Despite not having a pool, Bishop Noll continues to produce boys and girls swim teams.

  • 7-Foot Crucifix Above the Entrance

    Above the entrance of the STREAM Lab hangs a 7-foot crucifix that has a special place in Diocese of Gary history. The crucifix was previously part of Holy Trinity (Hungarian) Church in East Chicago, where it was displayed from 1930 until the diocesan church was closed in 2016.

STREAM Lab in the News

  • Four teams compete in a 1-minute match during MSLR Robotics' inaugural

    Bishop Noll Institute hosts 'Royal Rumble' robotics competition for young minds

    Forget the wrestling, this "Royal Rumble" was all about brains, teamwork and the ingenuity of elementary school robotics whizzes. More than 45 teams and 100 students from across Northwest Indiana and Wisconsin descended upon Bishop Noll Institute Jan. 27 for the MSLR Robotics' inaugural "Full Volume" VEX IQ robotics competition.
    Read More

  • Workshop Club Lets Students Combine STEM Skills, Imagination

    Bishop Noll’s Workshop Club meets regularly in the STREAM Lab. Sponsored by engineering teacher Brian Lambie and STEM teacher Mary Albrecht, the Workshop Club benefits students by opening the STREAM Lab for them to create personal projects outside of normal class hours. Students can work on projects from their own imaginations and in their own time.
    Read More

  • Thanksgiving Table Features BNI Student's 3D Creation

    Students can put their creativity to action in the STREAM Lab, whether they are printing on the newest GlowForge machine or one of several 3D printers.
    Read More

  • STREAM Lab Receives National Recognition for Excellence in Design

    Wightman, the architecture and design company in Benton Harbor, Michigan, that designed Noll’s STREAM Lab, received an Award of Excellence from Learning by Design magazine. In 2020, the lab was selected in the top 12 of more than 55 submitted projects.
    Read More

  • Bishop Noll Offers Course in Biomedical Science as Part of STEM Program

    Several classes make use of the STREAM Lab, including Principles of Biomedical Science. The class – one of various electives available in Noll’s STEM program – is designed for those with a special interest in science and the medical field. Students research processes with an introduction to bioinformatics. They investigate the human body systems and various health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and infectious diseases. A theme through the course is to determine factors that led to the death of a fictional person.
    Read More

Brianna Gonzalez, Bishop Noll Class of 2023, on how the STREAM Lab influenced her decision to choose BNI

"The other schools I was looking into didn't have anything like it. Looking into the STREAM lab I was very excited to be able to participate in the program."

History

  • September 2018

    BNI announces plans to renovate its former natatorium into a state-of-the-art STREAM Lab and Innovation Center.

  • Aug. 27, 2018

    The $1 million-plus project was given the go-ahead at a special meeting of the School Board and was the centerpiece of the school’s drive to become the first elite STREAM school in Indiana.

  • March 19, 2019

    A groundbreaking ceremony took place to mark the beginning of construction. Guests entered the future STREAM Lab area and watched as Bishop Donald J. Hying, Principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick ’01 and President Paul Mullaney ’77 each made a symbolic “break” in the wall.

  • Nov. 7, 2019

    A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held revealing the $1.45 million transformation supported by the Bishop Noll Ignite & Inspire capital campaign and the Diocese of Gary. The space was rededicated as the STREAM Lab and Whelan Innovation Center.

  • January 2020

    Students began attending their STEM and engineering classes in the new lab.
1/5
Bishop Noll Institute, a diverse, Catholic college preparatory school, partners with local faith communities to empower young adults to live their faith in Christ through ministry, scholarship, and leadership.
1519 Hoffman St., Hammond, IN 46327