Nebraska college begins $32 million renovation and expansion of math and science center

Chadron State College in Chadron, Neb., has begun the largest construction project in its history with a groundbreaking ceremony for the $32 million renovation and expansion of the Math Science Center Of Innovative Learning (COIL).

The Chadron Record reports that the building will meet contemporary laboratory and teaching standards. Deficient and outdated laboratory furnishings and mechanical and electrical and plumbing systems will be replaced with state-of-the-art facilities designed for energy efficiency.

The new facility will conform to indoor air quality standards with modern safety measures for storage and use of chemicals.

Nebraska State College System Chancellor Paul Turman says that the building has been a priority for the Nebraska State College System since 2014.

“First, enrollment in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) is going to continue to increase as a result of having a state-of-the-art facility," Turman says. "We anticipate we're going to be able to grow our enrollment by additional 100 students. The second benefit is our ability to be able to educate students in a more student-centered learning environment than what was envisioned when this building was built.”

The new north wing will connect with the main campus walkway to give students and faculty improved access to the building. A new southern entrance will give visitors and public an accessible and convenient route to the facility.

The building will house a variety of audiovisual-intensive spaces including a lecture hall with two 120-inch projection screens, classrooms, active learning labs, teaching laboratories, study spaces, and an active learning classroom with a 98-inch flat panel display board.

The audiovisual technologies in the building will create a collaborative learning and social environment to enhance the learning experience for students on campus, those with disabilities, and those learning remotely.