Today, we announce the creation of the Ursuline Environmental Education Program and Innovation STEM Center, initiatives that align with Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, our Catholic faith, and our International Baccalaureate curriculum.

The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville leadership team initiated a conversation with me about our shared commitment to Laudato Si’ and asked me to dream big. Big dreaming and strategic vision have developed into plans for a 6,000-square-foot Ursuline Innovation STEM Center, marking a transformative new chapter in innovation and environmental stewardship at SHS.

Our Sacred Heart Model School and Sacred Heart Academy students will benefit greatly from the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center, which will be the first comprehensive facility of its kind in our region. It will encompass the Ursuline Environmental Education Program, a STEM Design Lab, and an Outdoor Classroom and Greenhouse. This represents more than just physical space—it will embody Sacred Heart’s mission to help our students grow into their fullest potential and serve others through problem-solving. The programs, each with a dedicated Director, will empower our students through opportunities to engage in robotics, engineering, and environmental education projects in a collaborative environment.

You may have noticed activity in the historic Ursuline Sisters of Louisville Laundry Building located behind the Motherhouse. We are quickly working to bring this innovative facility to life for your children. The Center will serve as the hands-on epicenter to weave our Catholic faith into environmental education, science, technology, engineering, math, and entrepreneurship education, empowering Sacred Heart Model School and Sacred Heart Academy students to tackle the complex challenges of tomorrow. 

The Ursuline Environmental Education Program will address critical environmental challenges, aligned with our Catholic faith and Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, or “Care for our Common Home,” which includes reverence and love for all creation and the interconnectedness of all living things, including our planet.

SHMS and SHA students will explore renewable energy, conservation, and sustainability, learning to apply scientific and engineering principles to solve global ecological problems.

The curriculum will align with our International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy, integrating Catholic Ursuline education with ecological literacy. Key areas include Environmental Science, Theology—emphasizing Laudato Si’ and the Catholic tradition of caring for creation—Service Learning, and Leadership Development, thus incorporating the Ursuline core values of reverence, service, leadership, and community. We hope the students will learn and experience the love for all creation and share what they learn with you.

Due to their commitment to Laudato Si’ and excitement for the future of environmental education at Sacred Heart Schools, the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville have committed to helping endow the Ursuline environmental education program in the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center.

Outdoor Classroom and Greenhouse: Expanding Learning Beyond the Lab

The Outdoor Classroom and Greenhouse will complement the Ursuline environmental education program by providing our students with hands-on experiences in environmental science and sustainability. This space will reinforce SHS’s commitment to ecological stewardship and experiential learning, offering our students opportunities to engage with nature while understanding the environmental impact of their actions.

The Innovation Design Program and Lab will integrate STEM disciplines with design thinking, fostering innovation through hands-on projects. Students will utilize advanced tools and technology, like interactive technology walls, robotics kits, and laser cutting machines, to bring their creative ideas to life. By integrating the International Baccalaureate (IB) design cycle, students will learn to structure their work through inquiry, analysis, idea development, solution creation, and evaluation. This approach encourages flexibility and innovation, with students moving between stages as needed to research, design, create, and solve real-world problems.

The lab will feature 3D printers, Mac computers with Adobe Creative Cloud, laser cutters, robotics kits, and more to bring designs to life, and its flexible spaces will encourage collaboration and creativity, enabling students to integrate STEM knowledge and entrepreneurial thinking.

The interdisciplinary curriculum of both programs and the collaborative environment of the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center will prepare students for leadership roles in STEM fields and environmental advocacy, equipping them with the skills needed for the challenges of tomorrow.

We are thrilled to be at the region's leading edge of environmental education and STEM design curriculum and look forward to partnering with community organizations to expand the curriculum further. We are grateful to the donors who have already supported this initiative, allowing us to begin the construction and renovation so quickly. Thanks to Louisville Business First for the article about this exciting news. Stay tuned for further details and progress updates as the building and programs begin taking shape to benefit our students in the 2025-2026 school year.