At Wilson College, the Harry Brook Science Complex is the newest place to facilitate and enjoy science-related learning. Students will be able to use the facility to do work or study on science subjects like chemistry and biology.
With a worth estimated at $25 million, the Harry Brook Science Complex is Franklin County’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy an Environmental Design) certified building. It boasts of air exchange vents, two-way flushing toilets, and solar panels. The science facility also uses slate chalkboards and showers for people who travel to work by bicycle.
Considered a work of art, the science complex features a waterfall and an atrium. The waterfall provides the 76,500 square foot facility all-natural light.
Environmentalists and green thumbs will also enjoy the greenhouse, while history and science fans will love the rocks, stuffed animals, eggs, and fossils found in the natural history museum.
Veterinary medicine students can also study the skeleton of a thoroughbred, which they can take into the laboratories whenever needed.
Last January 2009, students started attending classes in the science facility.
Named after Harry R. Brooks, the Harry Brook Science Complex thrived on donations by Brook’s daughter, Marguerite Brook Lenfest. Together with her husband H.F. Lenfest, Marguerite gave $10 million for the completion of the science facility. In addition to this, the couple promised to match other donations with another $10 million.
According to news releases, Wilson College received a total of $17 million from the couple, together with over $16 million that came from other sources.
One of the reasons why the Lenfests donated to Wilson’s new building is their observation that majority of Wilson College’s students, about 63% to be exact, take up science-based or science-related majors. Science, together with math, is also a general education requirement in virtually all schools.
Tags: harry brook science complex, SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT, TECHNOLOGY, wilson college