St. Luke's Science Wing Takes Flight

“This is a vision we’ve had for many years,” says Head of School Mark Davis, as construction moves forward on the school's new Science Wing. “Our culture of science is growing,” says Department Chair Michael Mitchell. “When you pot a new plant you need a place for it to grow.”

Collaboration is key to that growth, according to Davis. He sees St. Luke’s as a “massive one-room school house that encourages mixing of old and young, teacher and student, science and other subjects. The Wing, front and center, will be an exciting, innovative collaborative space that will outlast teaching fads and changing technology.”

Flexibility is another pillar. “We seek to create an environment of engagement,” says Davis, “ with places for gathering and Harkness-style seminar tables.” Michael Mitchell is excited about lectures and labs in the same space – without having to clear off desks. Flow is another factor. “The connecting spaces between classrooms, nooks and whiteboards will encourage conversations. Kids will want to hang out there and talk – more like college study spaces.”

The Wing will also be big enough to provide independent study space for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) scholars, and attract new ones. In its third-year, participation in the program has grown from 2 to 9 students, branching into areas such as Math and Economics – not traditionally thought of as science. “We are excited about this growth,” says Mitchell, “about the diversity of interests. More kids can see how their interests are included in STEM.”

The Wing will be a three-story addition built with eco-friendly materials, energy efficiency and LEED certification. Its dramatic two-story atrium entrance is designed to welcome  “a culture of science which focuses on hands-on work, experimentation, risk-taking, and resilience,” says Ninette Enrique, Director of Development. Specifically, the addition will house four large Upper-school CLabs - Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Physics - plus a Science Office, two Conference Rooms and a Prep Room.

Davis is quick to point out that science is but one component of an excellent education: “Children need exposure to diverse subjects. They need science and math but they also need experiences in history, literature and the arts. And it’s equally vital that they connect with people who have different backgrounds and new perspectives.”

The addition will also house a black box theater and new drama tech spaces – including an elevator to transport sets. This means that sets for one production can be built while another is in performance. “With such an active performing arts program,” says Jereme Anglin, Director of Theatre Arts, “this added venue will offer us a much needed second space for rehearsals, concerts, and performances.”

The idea is to foster unexpected and real life learning moments. As Michael Mitchell says, “The Center for Leadership has been called the ‘hearth’ of our School. I see the new Science Wing as our kitchen. A place to make, experiment, play, even just hang out and have conversations. Like a dinner party – where everyone gathers in the kitchen. Science can be intimidating, and the new wing can change that.”