All Welcome to Opening of Barbara Lee Science and Allied Health Center, 11/6

All Welcome to Opening of Barbara Lee Science and Allied Health Center, 11/6

science bldg. view

 

Come join U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Peralta Chancellor Jowel C. Laguerre, Ph.D., and Merritt College President Dr. Norma Ambriz-Galaviz for the grand opening of the Barbara Lee Science and Allied Health Center on Friday, November 6, at 11:30 a.m. on the Merritt College campus. As part of the ceremony, a letter will be read from President Obama acknowledging the grand opening, and tours of the facility will be provided. The event is free and open to the public.

With over 60,000-square feet of dedicated space for science and technology, the Barbara Lee Science and Allied Health Building will be the region’s newest epicenter for innovation in science and technology. The structure houses all of the college’s science and health programs along with mathematics and business technology. Each department’s space has been designed to anticipate growth for Merritt’s future.

The architectural design of the building was aimed at achieving a number of goals, including enhancing the student learning environment, promoting the growth of the departments, and energizing the campus as a whole.

The theme of science and health led the architects to design 28 specialized screens across the face of the building to give a graphic representation of the DNA sequence (called Mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA) which makes energy. In addition, the exposed spiral double-helix staircase in the building’s center mirrors that same representation.

At various locations throughout the building, there are public common areas for students and faculty to freely interact. These areas have an open environment within the building to encourage active learning in their day-to-day interactions that is not limited to just the classroom. Also, the state-of-the-art technology and the furniture in this building were specifically chosen to enhance the learning environment for students and faculty. This ranges from interactive projectors in each classroom and lab, top-of-the-line equipment specifically chosen by each department, and student desks and chairs that are adjustable for left- and right-handed students.