The Lowe Center is a product of the growth of the popular and highly technical St. Edward Pre-Engineering Program.   What began as an idea for an addition to the math and science curriculum in 2001, has grown by leaps and bounds, with more than one-third of St. Edward students currently enrolled in a pre-engineering class. The Lowe Center takes the Pre-Engineering program to a new level.  The state-of-the-art classrooms are a place where students can study engineering theories, and the expansive labs allow the space for them to put what they have learned to work. In total, the building includes nine learning spaces - two computer labs, a pre-engineering lab, a robotics lab, a seminar room, and four classrooms. Each room is equipped with the latest educational technology.  Smart Boards do the job that overhead projectors once did, but more intuitively, allowing instructors to sync to their computers and download class lessons for their students. The top-of-the-line Dell Computers provide a platform for students to learn with the latest design and CAD software, as well as develop programing code to operate cars and robots that they design in their classes. “The new technology that has been incorporated into the design has provided an enhanced learning experience, including better visualization and better communication between students and teachers,” said Mary Ellen Scott, who has been the chair of the school’s pre-engineering department for the past six years. What was once just a classroom on the school’s lower level, supplemented by existing computer labs, has become  the state’s first secondary school building dedicated to pre-engineering and technology, and has exponentially increased the potential of what students in the program can learn and do. “Dedicated labs enable us to keep projects set up for their duration, added Scott.  “Students don’t need to waste learning time to clear away and reassemble projects.” And, for the approximately 60 students who are members of the St. Edward Robotics Team, the new building has given them every advantage they need to compete annually with other teams around the country.   Once relegated to closet space off of the cafeteria, and rented green house space from a neighbor, the robotics team now has a dedicated lab where they can design, build and test their robot. So much thought was put into the detail of the building that the robotics lab includes double doors leading to an oversized hallway to the school’s back parking lot, ensuring that the robot will not have to be disassembled when transported. The building also allows space for several of the school’s top math teachers, including Paul Bosley, Jolene Gennaro, Tim Tubbs and Greg Urbas, all who teach top level math courses to many of the students involved in the pre-engineering program, to utilize the technology to enhance their own teaching experiences.   On July 31, 2008, at the Lowe Center dedication, much of the St. Edward community who have been involved in making the project a reality, had the opportunity to explore the building for the first time - and it debuted to rave reviews. One of the highlights of the evening was a keynote address from an engineer whose invention has swept the globe in the 21st century - Apple iPod inventor Tony Fadell. “It’s clear something has been working right,” said Fadell to the crowd of more than 400.  “The momentum this unique program has generated to culminate in building a dedicated facility is impressive.  A high school program dedicated to finding our next generations of engineers and students finding their engineering talents. Engineers built America – it may not seem that way today as many of our products are designed and built overseas.  However we see this happening again with this building, and through all of those who have dedicated their time and energy creating this program.” Fadell praised the school administrators, faculty and supporters of the program for having the foresight to develop a program that is charged with educating the next generation of great American engineers. “Gregg Lowe wanted to make sure that St. Edward’s Pre-Engineering program allowed them to explore engineering early through the products they use,” added Fadell.  Helping them decide if engineering interests them – before having to decide in college.  Frankly, before it’s too late. We need to let curious minds explore early in life with the proper tools and environment.” With classes now under way in the new building, the faculty and students are realizing the great potential that the Lowe Center has afforded them, and are grateful for the friends, families, foundations and corporations that made the vision a reality. “Several benefactors came together to provide updated facilities to promote the engineering program,” said Matt Falk ‘98, one of the program’s three instructors. “It sends a clear message to the students about the importance of engineering education today.”