Katy ISD Files for Expansion of Robert R. Shaw Center for STEM
Katy ISD has officially filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for the construction of an 11,800-square-foot addition to the Robert R. Shaw Center for STEAM. The expansion, which is part of the 2023 Katy ISD Bond, aims to accommodate the district’s growing need for space dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education.
The Shaw Center, which opened in 2015, currently serves as a hub for high school robotics teams and provides hands-on STEAM learning experiences for elementary and junior high school students. The proposed expansion will add four new bays to the center, increasing its capacity to support robotics teams from all Katy ISD high schools, including those that have opened since the original construction.
The addition will also provide expanded space for field trips, summer camps, and Family STEAM Nights. The expansion is expected to support more students by allowing larger groups to visit at one time and making room for additional programming during the summer months. The project is estimated to cost $5.26 million and is being designed by Stantec Architecture, Inc.
A Growing Need for STEAM Facilities
The Shaw Center was designed with eight workshops primarily dedicated to robotics, a general shop area, and training rooms. However, with the district's growth and the increasing popularity of STEAM programs, there is a pressing need for more space to accommodate students.
Currently, the Shaw Center serves more than 16,000 Katy ISD students each year, with high school robotics teams using the facility year-round. During peak season, robotics teams practice up to six days a week, and the facility also hosts summer camps for younger students. But with only eight work bays available, the center is struggling to meet the needs of all ten Katy ISD high schools.
The addition of four new bays will help to address this issue, allowing for greater capacity for the growing robotics program and enabling more students to participate in hands-on STEAM learning. The new space will also allow for more efficient scheduling of field trips and expanded summer camp opportunities, benefiting younger students across the district.
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Expanding Opportunities for Students and Families
Beyond robotics, the Shaw Center serves as an educational resource for elementary and junior high students through school field trips. Each year, Katy ISD schools send students to the Shaw Center to engage in hands-on science activities that complement their classroom learning. The expansion will allow for more students to participate in these field trips, making the experience more accessible to a larger number of students.
The center also hosts five Family STEAM Nights during the fall, where families can engage in fun, interactive STEAM activities. Currently, the Shaw Center is unable to host Family STEAM Nights during the spring due to the high demand for robotics practice space. With the additional room from the expansion, the center will be able to host events year-round, offering families even more opportunities to participate in STEAM learning.
Looking Ahead
The Shaw Center’s expansion is a crucial part of Katy ISD’s ongoing efforts to meet the district’s growing demand for STEAM education and resources. With the increased space, the center aims to be better equipped to support robotics teams, field trips, summer camps, and community events, ensuring that more students and families have access to high-quality STEAM programming.
This expansion is an exciting step forward for Katy ISD as it continues to prioritize hands-on, experiential learning opportunities for students, preparing them for future careers in STEAM fields.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
