Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, STEM Collaboratory

Blacksburg, Virginia

Firm

Baskervill

Client

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Area

3,230 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$606,000

Completion Date

05/2011

The STEM Collaboratory at Virginia Tech is a progressive, adaptable classroom environment for the School of Education to develop new teaching models in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Designers were tasked with creating separate learning zones for the school’s widespread needs within one, open classroom space. The School of Education needed to be able to provide students with a cutting-edge learning environment while also providing space for students to dive deeply into hands-on activities.

The result is one part computer lab, one part science lab. On one side of a custom-designed sliding whiteboard partition system is a modern, exploratory workshop and fabrication lab for practical STEM education activities. The other half of the classroom features a high-tech computer lab complete with touch screen computers and tables and 3D printing capabilities.

The “flex space” between these two labs features white boards, an interactive SMART table, and presentation capabilities, allowing room for small groups of students to break out into individual activities. When needed, this flex space can be opened up, allowing the fabrication lab and computer lab to merge together.

Offering students and educators the latest in computing and fabrication technologies, the STEM Collaboratory is a classroom built for the future. It’s a model design for engaging and dynamic educational space that grows with a program as it changes, a true testament to forward-thinking and creative design solutions.