STEAM

Gustavus Adolphus College Science Hall Renovation to Marry STEM, Arts

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 02/05/18

Gustavus Adolphus College is launching a $70-million renovation and expansion of its Nobel Hall of Science with an eye toward emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of liberal arts education.

The project will include a 74,000-square-foot expansion on the south side of the building, which is home to biology, chemistry, geography and geology departments, along with interdisciplinary programs in biochemistry, molecular biology and environmental sciences. That will add new labs, spaces for teaching and studying, as well as a laboratory theater that will connect the science hall with the college's Schaefer Fine Arts Center.

"The combination of traditional STEM disciplines with the arts is consistent with the growing STEAM education movement that produces well-rounded students who are prepared to drive innovation," according to information released by the college.

The science hall will also be extended on the north end to add 12,400 square feet that will showcase student and faculty work and the institution's annual Nobel Conference.

The first phase of the project, the expansion, will begin this month and is slated for completion in the summer of 2019. The second phase, comprising a complete renovation of the existing facility, will follow, with completion scheduled for the 2020-2021 school year.

"Academic excellence is at the core of the Gustavus experience," said Rebecca Bergman, president of  Gustavus Adolphus College, in a prepared statement. "This facility is a tangible example of our strong commitment to support state-of-the-art, hands-on learning opportunities and student-faculty collaboration."