Add as a preferred source on Google

STEAM Lab Holds Economic Potential for Rural NY Community

  • By Yvonne Marquez
  • 09/03/19

Groton Junior-Senior High School’s former dingy basement has transformed into a brightly lit $4.8 million STEAM lab and shared-learning space. The 8,000-square foot renovated space officially opens Sept. 4 for district-wide use following a soft-opening in December 2018.

Groton Junior-Senior High School’s former dingy basement has transformed into a brightly lit $4.8 million STEAM lab and shared-learning space.

The lounge-like area is fitted with high-tech screens, work stations, adaptable furniture, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems. Ashley McGraw Architects designed the center with the district’s curriculum in mind and collaborated with Groton Central School District Superintendent Margo Martin to create a place where students want to hang out.

Almost every surface is a writing surface, including some glass walls, to encourage creativity. The center features transparent and flexible spaces to encourage independent work as well as collaboration. The lab hosts a photo, video, and music editing studio.

The lounge-like area is fitted with high-tech screens, work stations, adaptable furniture, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems.

The STEAM lab will be used for a variety of educational programs including: building trades, computer science, engineering & electronics, agriculture technology and communications & media arts.

“Groton CSD STEAM Coordinator Mick Levick has been instrumental in informing the students of the concept of the STEAM lab and giving them the freedom to explore its possibilities,” Mike Frisina, an architect and design tech manager at Ashley McGraw, said in a press release. “Mick has stated that the variety of the spaces and learning environments in the STEAM lab has given the students and the faculty the flexibility to ‘choose your own adventure’ in their educational programs. They have been able to transform the spaces to fit the needs of their tasks on a day-to-day, class-to-class basis.”

 The STEAM lab has also had a positive effect on the rural New York community by potentially being an “economic engine.” An agricultural steering committee is promoting the expansion of an agricultural program at the center, while STEAM experts are offering their services as guest speakers and giving adult education courses after school hours.

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Texas State University Completes Stadium Renovations

    Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, recently announced that it has completed a series of additions and renovations to its football stadium, according to a news release. Formerly known as the Bobcat Stadium End Zone Complex, the Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center is an 85,000-square-foot expansion featuring hospitality spaces, banquet spaces, exterior concourses, and upgrades to the field house.

  • Upcoming University of Alabama Performing Arts Center Hits Construction Milestone

    The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., recently celebrated the topping out of its new Smith Family Center for Performing Arts, according to a news release. The university is partnering with HPM for program and project management on the facility, which broke ground in 2023 and is scheduled for completion in November 2026.

  • University of Rhode Island, Gilbane Partner for Three New Residence Halls

    The University of Rhode Island in Kingston, R.I., recently announced a public-private partnership with construction development firm Gilbane, according to a news release. Gilbane will soon start construction on three new residence halls with a total of 1,100 beds: two with apartment-style suites in northwest campus, and a reconstruction of the Graduate Village Apartments for graduate students.

  • Construction Begins on East Austin CTE-Focused High School

    The Del Valle Independent School District recently announced that construction has begun on a new CTE-focused high school in Austin, Texas, according to a news release. Del Valle High School will measure in at 473,338 square feet and have the capacity for 2,400 students.

Digital Edition