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

  • Pittsburgh High School Upgrades Athletics Facilities’ Technology

    Plum Senior High School in Pittsburgh, Penn., recently partnered with South-Dakota-based Daktronics through the We’re All Mustangs Here Foundation to upgrade the technology in its athletics facilities, according to a news release. Daktronics designed, built, and installed new LED video displays and finished the project in time for the beginning of the 2025 high-school football season.

  • Florida SouthWestern State College, Skanska Partner for Humanities Hall Renovation

    Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) in Fort Myers, Fla., recently announced that it is partnering with construction firm Skanska to renovate the school’s Humanities Hall, according to a news release.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

  • Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

    Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.

Digital Edition