Drury to hold science center ground breaking

Drury University will hold a ground-breaking ceremony for its new science center at 11:30 a.m. May 10 at the construction site, located on the northwest corner of Chestnut Expressway and Washington Avenue.

According to a release from Drury, its new science center will be the single largest building project in the university's history. Here are some details:

The need: from 1990 to 2000, the number of undergraduate science degree recipients increased 227 percent, from 36 to 82. Chemistry showed the largest increase, from 11 to 30, or 272 percent.

The new building is designed to accommodate Drury's groundbreaking science curricula for majors and non-majors. Courses taught by an interdisciplinary team use case studies to explore pressing issues like public health and the environment. Case studies then drive interest in and exploration of scientific research and discoveries.

The project will support Drury's "Global Perspectives 21" core curriculum, which emphasizes higher levels of science and mathematics literacy for all students.

finished building includes 78,800 square feet of floor space on three levels.

The lower level includes three large classrooms; a combination auditorium and exhibition hall is located on the first floor.

First and second floors include approximately 20 classroom laboratories, designed to facilitate a blend of teaching styles, emphasizing hands-on experiments to illustrate scientific methods and reasoning.

Faculty offices clustered near central atrium and stairway increase cross-disciplinary discussion and collaboration.

Facilities include a greenhouse and astronomical observatory.

Construction cost: $13.8 million. Furnishings, instruments, contingencies, architectural services and landscaping bring total project cost to $18.9 million. Flintco Construction Company is the general contractor.

The project is completely funded by private donations.