Miller School science department chair Mark Gottlob cut the ribbon on a renovated floor of science labs at the school’s 1887 classroom building Oct 2. Joining him (left to right) were science teachers Alice Simpkins, Raiza Vega and Megan Sweeney, trustees vice chairman Dick Abidin, architect Dan Debettencourt, headmaster Winn Price and operations director Dan Pugh.
The new rooms include new facilities for earth science, physics, chemistry and biology. The belt wheel system mounted on the ceiling, which once powered shop equipment, was left in tact in homage to the school’s history. In addition to lab tables, each room now includes a “smart board,” a device that allows information on computers to be projected onto a screen and which also allows teachers to draw or write on the screen with their fingertips. Science classes at the school average 8 to 10 students each.
The science classroom renovation is the second step in the strategic plan adopted by the school in 2005. The first phase was a renovation of the art studio space. Phase three of the “academic village” plan includes new dormitories and athletic fields.
