Pius XI Opens New Applied Learning Lab for Hands-On STEM Education
On October 1, the Pius XI Catholic High School community celebrated the ribbon cutting of our brand-new Jim '55 and Joan '56 Schneider Applied Learning Lab! This exciting space gives students opportunities to turn classroom knowledge into practical, hands-on experience as they explore engineering, manufacturing, technology, and the possibilities ahead.
In a fitting way to showcase the creativity and hands-on learning that this space makes possible, the “ribbon” was actually a wooden puzzle plaque designed and manufactured right in the lab by Mr. Horky and his students. Students also impressed guests with demonstrations of their nationally ranked machine design from spring 2026 and the prosthetic arms with integrated AI control that they built and coded in our newest course offering, Discover AI: Biotechnology.
We are deeply grateful to everyone whose support and generosity helped make this vision a reality: Jim ’55 & the late Joan ’56 Schneider (whose name the lab proudly carries), The Peterson Family Foundation and The Alan Kulwicki Legacy Fund, in memory of Alan Kulwicki ’73. This investment in our students will inspire curiosity, build confidence, and open doors for generations of Popes. Our heartfelt thanks also go to Bob Werner ’75 of First Technologies and the team at Lab Midwest for their guidance throughout the project, as well as to CG Schmidt for helping bring this new space to life.
We were honored to welcome Fr. Jerry Herda to bless the lab—a moment made even more meaningful by his special family connection to Joan Schneider. And, of course, thank you to Mr. Jeremy Horky and our amazing Rube Goldberg students, whose creativity and enthusiasm brought the possibilities of applied learning to life for our guests! To everyone who joined us to celebrate: thank you for sharing this special moment and believing in our students’ futures.
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