Palmer Trinity School opened a 6,800-square-foot STEM and Innovation Center on its Palmetto Bay campus Aug. 25, expanding hands-on opportunities in robotics, engineering, biomedical science and emerging technology.

The center gives the school's roughly 800 students in grades 6 through 12 access to industrial-grade 3D printers, laser-cutting equipment, VEX Robotics systems and drone technology. Students can design, build, program and test projects in the new space.

Head of School Patrick Roberts and Board Chair Jesus Socorro cut the ribbon during the opening ceremony. Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham also attended and presented a recognition plaque to Roberts and Associate Head of School for Communications Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja, CityBiz reported.

Center becomes home base for competition teams

Located in Building 3 of Palmer Trinity's 60-acre campus, the center will serve as home base for the school's Drone and Solar Car competition teams, according to Miami's Community Newspapers.

The school is also launching two middle school teams this year: a drone team and a submersible robotics team. The latter will use MATE ROV technology to design and build remotely operated underwater vehicles for aquatic and environmental challenges.

Biomedical science students will have access to an Anatomage Table, an interactive 3D visualization system that allows users to conduct virtual dissections and examine anatomical structures.

At Palmer Trinity, the technology will support courses including life science, AP Biology, IB Sports, Exercise and Health Science and the school's Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science sequence.

"It is our aim to not only embrace and celebrate innovation but also teach students how to think critically about them, use it responsibly and understand where machine capability ends and the irreplaceable human advantage begins," Roberts said at the Aug. 25 ceremony.

Curriculum includes AI, engineering and robotics

The new facility supports a curriculum spanning artificial intelligence literacy, computer science, engineering, robotics, entrepreneurship and advanced AP and International Baccalaureate coursework.

Palmer Trinity is a coeducational independent Episcopal school serving students in grades 6 through 12. The school describes itself as the only Episcopal middle and secondary school in Miami-Dade County.

The STEM center is the latest addition to the school's 60-acre Palmetto Bay campus at 8001 SW 184th St.