After a few years away, The Boiler is back! This newsletter is your inside look at the exciting world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) at Belen Jesuit. Our goal is to share the incredible projects happening in the Roberto C. Goizueta Innovation Center, celebrate the creativity of our students, and inspire teachers to bring STEAM into their classrooms
Through The Boiler, you’ll see how STEAM comes alive across the curriculum from literature to history to science labs while also discovering new opportunities in our courses, clubs, and special programs
TheBoiler
You’ll hear updates from our robotics teams, explore highlights from our FLEX series, and get a sneak peek at what’s coming next.
Whether you ’ re a student, parent, teacher, or alum, we hope these stories spark curiosity, encourage collaboration, and showcase the innovation that defines STEAM at Belen. Welcome back, and get ready to move education full STEAM ahead!
recreate prehistoric cave art. From hunting scenes to handprints, they experienced the challenges and creativity of our earliest artists while working as collaborative cave communities.
STEAMAcrosstheCurriculum
Past in Pieces
In Ms. Menendez’s 7 grade US History class, students stepped into the role of historians— reconstructing fragmented artifacts and piecing together the past Their work combined evidence analysis, creative problem-solving, and hands-on design to bring ancient artifacts back to life.
Stamped with Identity
Merging art, math, and identity, students in Mr Perez-Gonzalez’s 8 grade Spanish Heritage class designed personal cultural symbols by combining two images unique to their country of origin. These designs were laser-engraved onto leather wallets, transforming heritage into a functional keepsake.
Stories in Motion
Bringing literature into motion, Spanish students from Mrs. Rodriguez’s 9 grade class built cardboard automatas inspired by Latin American short stories. Each moving creation reflected a theme, scene, or character turning mechanical design into storytelling art
Wayfinders: Designing the Camino
In Ms. Alonso’s 9 grade Spanish class, students became architects and engineers as they designed sustainable pilgrim shelters inspired by the culture and architecture of cities along the Camino Using the engineering design process, they built prototypes that balanced history, sustainability, and modern comfort. th
Speed by Design
In AP Physics C, Mr. Perez’s students transformed a distance sensor into a velocity sensor using Hummingbird Kits. By coding the sensor to calculate velocity from distance data, they explored how physics meets engineering and proved that innovation moves fast when theory meets hands-on design
STEAMAcrosstheCurriculum
Spin & Sketch
In Mr Gonzalez’s 8 grade Robotics, students combined engineering design and coding to bring their ideas to life. They used OnShape to design and 3D print custom fidget spinners that fit real ball bearings, then programmed XRP robots to draw geometric shapes and letters. These projects showed how creativity and precision work hand-in-hand to turn digital designs into motion.
Designing for the Real World
In Mr. Cruz’s In STEAM Explorations class, the 9 grade students stepped into the role of engineers and designers, tackling a real client challenge a custom platform for a robotics field. After interviewing their “client” to gather needs and requirements, they used OnShape to model their designs and then built the platform themselves. Through teamwork, problem-solving, and iteration, students discovered how creativity and communication drive innovation. th
Apps for Others
Students in Honors and Introduction to Computer Science put coding into action by designing and programming original mobile apps using MIT App Inventor led by Mr. Riggs. Guided by the theme Men for Others, their apps addressed real needs within the school and community. During a gallery walk, students presented their creations, explained their code, and gathered feedback from teachers and peers strengthening both their technical and communication skills.
Game On!
In Mr Cruz’s Introduction to Engineering Design class, students transformed their bean bag launchers into fully engineered carnival games. Using data on accuracy and precision, they balanced challenge with fun to create games that were both playable and precise. The project showcased how engineers use math, creativity, and testing to turn design into an experience.
Power to Lift
Students in Mr. Cruz s Honors Principles of Engineering class put physics into motion by building compound machines using gears, pulleys, and chain-and-sprocket systems—all designed to lift a 40pound bucket. By experimenting with mechanical advantage and refining their builds, they turned theory into hands-on engineering, proving that even heavy challenges can be solved with smart design.
Code, Create, Showcase
In Honors Design and Innovation, Mr. Perez’s students built digital engineering portfolios from scratch using HTML and CSS. Hosting their sites on GitHub Pages, they learned the fundamentals of web design and used AI tools like ChatGPT to refine layouts, debug code, and creatively present their work turning coding into storytelling.
InnovationCenterTours
This September, the Roberto C. Goizueta Innovation Center opened its doors to visiting students from local Catholic schools for an unforgettable day of creativity and discovery. Eighth graders from St. Mary’s Cathedral School, Good Shepherd Catholic School, and St. Patrick Catholic School explored the power of innovation through hands-on activities and collaboration
While the visiting boys toured the Belen campus, the girls joined Dr. Salazar and Dr. Mabe in the Innovation Center for a special Girls Who Code experience They designed, built, and coded LEGO robots, testing and redesigning their creations before competing in friendly races. The laughter, teamwork, and excitement filled the room—showing how coding and engineering can be both fun and empowering.
STEAMFLEXSeries
The all-new STEAM FLEX Series launched this September, inviting 6th graders to explore new technologies and develop real-world skills during their FLEX period. Each two-month module introduces students to a new STEAM topic and culminates in a hands-on project where they can earn a STEAM Skills Badge.
The first sessions focused on 3D Design & 3D Printing, where students learned to turn digital models into physical creations using our Innovation Center’s 3D printers Next up for November–December is 2D Design & Laser Cutting, followed by even more opportunities to build, create, and innovate. In October, the 7th graders will get their chance to join the STEAM FLEX Series—so be sure to check your email for sign-up details and come discover your next great skill!
From first-time coders to future engineers, every visit and workshop in the Innovation Center helps ignite curiosity—and inspires the next generation of innovators.
ClubUpdates
Our STEAM clubs are buzzing with creativity this year! From robotics and coding to esports, students are innovating, competing, and collaborating beyond the classroom building skills that power the future one project, one match, and one line of code at a time.
High School Robotics: Ready, Set, Innovate!
Teams 19442 – Wolverine Robotics and 20723 – Ignatian Industries have kicked off their FIRST Tech Challenge season, designing precision flywheel robots and applying the engineering design process from concept to competition
Middle School Robotics: Building for Success
The VEX IQ Robotics Team has completed their starter bots for this year ’ s Mix and Match competition and is now mastering pneumatics and advanced mechanisms to take their builds to the next level.
Computer Science Club: Coding in Every Language
From Scratch to Python, club members are learning to code through creative projects like number guessing games and pygame-based apps. Others are exploring TI BASIC and experimenting with logic, loops, and conditionals all while having fun with code
Esports Club: Game On!
The Esports Club is competing through PlayVS, representing Belen in Rocket League, Clash Royale, Fortnite, Mario Kart, and Super Smash Bros. Players are honing teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship while living out Jesuit values through gaming.
From robots to rockets, from code to competition—STEAM at Belen is all about building the future together.
Students from the VEX IQ Robotics team
UpNext:
There’s plenty more innovation ahead this fall in the Roberto C. Goizueta Innovation Center! The STEAM FLEX Series continues in October, this time inviting 7th graders to sign up for their own handson sessions check your email soon for registration details.
More visiting schools will be touring the Innovation Center in the coming weeks, and new classes will be stepping in to take on exciting STEAM activities across subjects. The creativity never stops!
Our clubs are also in full swing: the Computer Science Club meets on Tuesdays, Esports Club meets every other Friday (including October 10th), and both Middle School and High School Robotics teams meet on Mondays and Thursdays.
Stay curious, keep creating, and we’ll see you in the Innovation Center! Thefutureisbeingbuilt—oneprint,onecode,andoneideaata
