Science Center makes its debut at Clarion
Students, alumni, families, friends and even prospective students at Clarion University toured the Science and Technology Center during its grand opening and open house Jan. 30.
This newly constructed building was designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly to attain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating. The LEED System was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to recognize the use of environmentally friendly features and practices in new or renovated structures. In addition to having less impact on the environment, the buildings also have lower overall operating costs.
“Not only is this building financially helping the campus, but it is also focused on remaining a Green Building,” said Science Education professor Michele Pedlow.
During the open house, Clarion University President Joseph Grunenwald thanked everyone for the help and generosity that contributed to the construction of the Science Center, and he noted the building was unmatched anywhere in terms of quality and functionality.
Those attending the open house were given a chance to walk around, view the building and chat with Clarion’s trustees.
The $34 million facility holds classrooms, seminar rooms, labs and offices available to the students and faculty of Clarion University. The building has three floors; the first is for physics and mathematics, the second for biology and chemistry and the third for chemistry and environmental sciences. The new Science Center also contains the refurbished planetarium, which was part of the old Pierce Science Center, as well as the animal-aquarium room and a free-standing greenhouse, which was also part of Pierce.
Also, on the second floor is a large screen which gives full details of the energy generated by the solar panels and its positive impact on the environment. Motion sensors in the bathrooms save energy and money, and the heat recovery system lowers the amount of energy needed to heat the building. The glass windows and walls also add energy efficiency by allowing more natural light inside the building. Adding to the list of benefits the building provides is a water system that reuses the nondrinkable water, which saves about 60 percent of the water used. An underground cistern system collects rainwater for toilets, custodial purposes and industrial uses in labs.
Many of the materials in the building have been recycled. For example, one chair’s seat and back is made up of approximately 45 car batteries. In addition, many of the materials used within the building were manufactured within a 500 mile radius of this particular project, according to the fact sheets presented at the open house.
Although construction is incomplete, the Science Center is fully functional, and classes are being held in the building.
the new Science Center building may be one of the first in the state and perhaps the country to have an energy and environmental designed building through LEED, Grunenwald said.
the building’s open house not only gave the people a chance to walk around and see the construction, changes and benefits, it allowed them to visit with former professors and classmates.
Grunenwald said the building, along with the university as a whole, is about tomorrow. He thanked those attending for their support of the building and those who attend and work at Clarion.
Mark Lett is a staff news writer for The Call.
Tags: Campus News, Science Center |