Phase three of Padua’s construction occurred during the summer of 2018, which included the full renovation and reconfiguration of the Chemistry Labs, along with the beginning restoration of the Physics, Environmental Science and Earth Science Labs. Because of the extensive work and length of time required to renovate the Chemistry Labs, the remaining portion of the renovation will be extended to the summer of 2019.

Science classrooms have always been used for experiments and other hands-on activities, but the focus was primarily on the student imitating what the instructor demonstrated. The spaces consisted of rows of benches facing the instructor. Current teaching practices involve a more student-centered and student collaborative approach.

The Padua science faculty has played an integral role in the design of the labs in order to reflect these contemporary needs in instruction. Reflecting their needs and perspectives, the Chemistry Labs were expanded into a lecture/lab classroom, where one side is a lecture area and the other is a lab area.

Plans for the Physics, Environmental Science and Earth Science rooms will take on a universal lab classroom approach. All three labs will be identical, in that the lab benches will fill the area to accommodate teacher-centered learning, as well as student-centered learning. The concept is that these rooms can be used for any type of science courses, for both the current curriculum and in the future.

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