Science Lab project finishes with Phase II

Thanks to the generosity of parents and other friends of the Schools, remodeling of the science labs at University High School will be completed this summer. The redesign completes improvements to the labs, which were originally built when the University High School building was constructed in 1959.

The current project to redesign the labs was initiated in the summer of 2001, when three labs on the third floor were remodeled and office and storage space was added. The redesign reflects current teaching priorities and incorporates the latest technology.

The new spaces allow for groups of students to work together, access data, and watch as teachers project information on a screen. The labs are equipped with the latest computer and wireless technology.

“The redesigned labs have more efficient space use for small student groups to work together on lab projects and experiments, which allows for more inquiry-based lab activities, cooperative learning, and student-directed projects to be incorporated into the curriculum,” said Sharon Housinger, Science Department Chair.

“The freshmen biology room to be built on the second floor will be the most technologically advanced of all the rooms, incorporating a Smart Sympodium system that will allow all class notes to be saved for later student reference, and will offer greater possibilities for student presentations,” she said.

“This renovation project was done in two phases to allow us to complete the fundraising needed to make it successful,” said Eileen Epstein, Director of External Relations.

One of the labs on the second floor, Room 211, was redesigned in 1990 as a result of parent fundraising. “The success of that renovation inspired us to bring the remaining labs up to the same level of quality and technological advancement,” Epstein said. “This fall, all our high school science students will have the finest settings possible for their work.”

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