There is an emphasis on using and developing collaboration, ingenuity, and determination to reach a point where students can function in a college setting using skills developed at Mount Carmel.

With 48 members ranging from sophomores to seniors, each cohort works together through a different focus of STEM to continue learning outside the classroom. Sophomores are focusing mostly on science, like experimenting with alternative energies through chemistry. Juniors are working with mechanics, building for those energy sources and experimenting with elements like drag. Seniors are focused on the design and technology side of STEM, through coding and the use of 3D printers. In teams of mixed cohorts, each student is working together to build an alternative powered car, that will run through a designed and built a custom race track. The goal is to invite other south side high school students to build their own cars and come to Mount Carmel for some friendly competition. 

“The opportunity to learn something new every year is exciting,” explained sophomore Patrick Danahar, “while I enjoy experimenting with chemistry, I’m really looking forward to trying the 3D printer in my senior year.” While STEM does have three different faculty members in charge, it is truly student ran, they are coming up with experiment ideas and working towards solutions on their own. “Mount Carmel has always taught the individual elements of STEM,” program director Andy Sobucki explains, “but with this separate program students can be more hands on, and learn how everything they do in subsequent years all comes together. It’s designed as a three-year program.” 

STEM isn’t all race cars either, with special field trips to Argonne National Laboratory to special guests speakers like retired physicist and 1957 graduate Joe Gallagher, there are many one of a kind learning opportunities. Students are even looking for ways to leave their mark on the school, with a project that will help get a residue of the windows formed by years of rain reacting to limestone. 

In an all-male learning environment, something hands on and practical is perfect, which is why STEM has attracted so many different students with a variety of interests and going into it third year, it promises to become bigger and bigger.

More information on Mount Carmel's STEM program can be found at www.mchs.org/STEM