Monika Leininger
The University of Wyoming’s newly completed Michael B. Enzi STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) facility is being used for the first time for classes this spring semester.
Stephen Salmans, the Enzi STEM facility coordinator, said he believes the new facility will create a technologically efficient environment for students.
Some of the courses in the building include, general chemistry, general biology, elementary psychics, mathematics and computer sciences.
“The building is designed to bring students together in one place,” Salmans said.
Before the building’s opening, freshmen and sophomores with introductive lab sections were sent to different labs around campus.
“The building is built to be the lab version of the classroom building where students can collaborate in one space,” Salmans said.
The Enzi STEM facility not only offers more space for students, but a variety of technological improvements to create a conducive learning environment.
The building now has 14 new labs and nine new classrooms furnished with modern technology including interactive displays with interactive touch capabilities.
“Additionally the building has been constructed with an outstanding ventilation system and fume hoods installed with cameras so students don’t have to crowd around the professor,” Salmans said.
The building also offers many areas for students to collaborate on group work. Students have access to small-group pod areas that have PC’s, 55-foot touchscreen displays and webcams.
Carla Beckett, general chemistry professor, said she is appreciative of the building’s contemporary design.
“This building has so many windows and great natural light – there are little nooks to study and furniture in the main area to hang out with friends,” Beckett said.
Students have also made remarks about the enhancements made for their classes.
“It looks really nice,” Scott Woody, UW sophomore electrical engineering student, said. “STEM is the backbone of modern development.”
The Michael B. ENZI building funding was made possible by a Wyoming legislative appropriation of $50 million in federal abandoned mine dollars. The office of construction management in the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information oversaw the project.
“Families of prospective students will see a building that is so state of the art, that will likely drive students to pursue STEM disciplines at University of Wyoming,” Salmans said.
