2014 lycoming college fall magazine

17 / 48

17
Featuring the latest in technology and scientific instructional tools, the new
building will enable the college to bring all of the science departments – astronomy,
biology, chemistry and physics – under one roof. The physical proximity of the
departments will allow for increased collaborative opportunities among students and
faculty and will support students’ interdisciplinary pursuits, including the college’s
recently added astrophysics major. It will also provide space to support Lycoming’s
new collaborative engineering program, offered in conjunction with Binghamton
University.
The new campus plaza and the green space and rain garden courtyard will lead
the pathway inside for students, faculty and visitors to explore high-tech classrooms,
research and teaching labs, computer labs, faculty offices, and student collaboration
and study areas. The Cleveland Atrium—the open-air, two-story indoor atrium—will
serve as a prime location for students and faculty members to congregate.
At the heart of the Lynn Science Center will be a new Detwiler Planetarium, which
is named after Lycoming’s 11th President, John G. Detwiler. With state-of-the-art
technology, the 35-foot-wide planetarium will allow for much more than standard
demonstration. Digital technology will enable interactive teaching and learning
experiences across scientific disciplines, and is expected to enhance programs in other
disciplines as well, offering, for example, recreated Civil War battles in an Imax-like
experience. The exterior dome of the building will be visible from multiple points
across campus and beyond.
‘‘
‘‘
The college is at a defining
moment in its STEM (science,
technology, engineering
and mathematics) programs
and this new facility makes
tangible our ongoing
commitment to science
education. Increasing our
capacity to educate and
train people in these areas
responds to the national call
for significant growth in a
STEM-educated workforce
that is prepared for the
types of jobs and skills that
are critical to our economy.
This summer,
Jeremy Ramsey taught
chemistry to 20 rising
high school seniors
in the first Lycoming
College Prep
program.
New 3-2
engineering program
with the Watson
School of Engineering
at Binghamton
University.
COV E R S TO RY