As part of Mount Carmel Academy’s commitment to STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math), the junior class participated in Junior STREAM Day. This immersive experience connects classroom lessons to real-world applications. Students explored a variety of organizations across the Greater New Orleans area, engaging directly with professionals in science, technology, engineering, healthcare, art, and environmental conservation.

Half of the junior class participated on October 27, while the other half visited The National WWII Museum, where they examined artifacts, archives, and oral histories that brought World War II to life. The groups switched on October 29, ensuring every student experienced both a hands-on look at local innovation and an in-depth exploration of world history.

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University of New Orleans
At UNO, students visited the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Lab to see how engineers design and test ships and marine structures that support the Port of New Orleans and the city’s maritime economy. They also explored the Beyond Reality Lab, where virtual and augmented reality technologies are advancing research, education, and creative design.

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Tulane University
At Tulane University, students explored the River/Coastal Engineering Lab, where they learned how researchers study water movement, sediment, and coastal protection to strengthen New Orleans’ flood and storm resilience. They also visited the Tulane MakerSpace, a creative hub that blends art, craft, and technology, where they assembled their own jewelry while experimenting with design tools and fabrication techniques. In another session, students explored the human brain up close, gaining insight into how curiosity and science work together to understand how people think, learn, and create.

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LSU School of Medicine and Nursing Program
At the LSU School of Medicine and School of Nursing, students gained firsthand experience with advanced medical simulations and patient care technology. Practicing with surgical simulators and emergency response tools, they discovered how science and compassion combine in healthcare.

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PBF Energy Chalmette Refinery
Students touring the PBF Energy Chalmette Refinery witnessed STEM in action on an industrial scale. They explored how chemistry and engineering power the region’s infrastructure while meeting safety and environmental standards, and participated in a Q&A session with female engineers and scientists about career paths in technical fields that responsibly support their communities.

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Ogden Museum of Southern Art and Mardi Gras World
At the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, students explored how Southern artists document and interpret culture, history, and identity through visual storytelling, then created their own art pieces inspired by regional themes. At Mardi Gras World, they saw how creativity and craftsmanship combine in float design and construction, bringing the artistry and joy of Carnival to life.

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Vue New Orleans Observatory
From 34 stories above the city at Vue New Orleans, students explored how geography, design, and engineering intersect. Through interactive exhibits and the River Theatre, they discovered how the Mississippi River has shaped New Orleans’ growth, economy, and culture over time.

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Louisiana Civil Rights Museum & The Historic New Orleans Collection
At the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum, students experienced immersive storytelling through virtual reality simulations that bring pivotal moments of the movement to life. At The Historic New Orleans Collection, they examined artifacts and archives that preserve the complex and diverse narratives that define the city’s history and people — encouraging reflection on justice, dignity, and the power of moral courage.

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Pontchartrain Conservancy
The visit to the Pontchartrain Conservancy showcased how robotics and environmental science protect local wetlands and waterways. Students learned how technology is used to safeguard coastal ecosystems and promote sustainable living — an example of caring for God’s creation through innovation and stewardship.

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Through Junior STREAM Day and their visit to The National WWII Museum, MCA juniors saw how the disciplines of science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and math intertwine in both history and modern life. By engaging with professionals, exploring real-world challenges, and witnessing how creativity and purpose intersect, students gained a deeper understanding of how they can use their own talents to build, protect, and serve the world around them.