What once was a dark and uninspired basement has been renovated and transformed into the new STEM Center at El Camino College. The HMC design team partnered with the college’s leadership to re-envision the under-utilized space to create a tutorial center that supports the college and surrounding school districts’ goal of enhancing student success in science, technology, engineering and math subjects.
The new 9,334-SF STEM Center contains four group learning areas, four self-study areas, a large collaboration lounge, three meeting rooms, three classrooms, four faculty offices and a computer lab with 21 stations. The new STEM Center will also house the successful Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program and provide STEM enrichment and outreach activities.
The new 9,334-SF learning center is designed for students studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
The renovated interiors create a comfortable study environment for students.
The STEM Center integrates four subjects into one cohesive environment and supports one-on-one and small group tutoring, as well as academic enrichment programs.
Custom collaboration tables and group study furniture under an open waffle slab ceiling with layered soffits enable students to break into teams for shared concept discussions.
Varying seating options give students opportunities to collaborate.
Moveable white boards are easily accessible for hands-on teachable moments.
Multipurpose rooms support lecture-style teaching as a whole and can also be divided into three spaces for smaller class sizes or individual subject requirements.
Natural wood plank partitions provide privacy for smaller group study rooms.
Frosted windows help students focus in small study rooms while still bringing in natural light.
Collaboration tables have lighting and power built in to support 21st century students.
Wood plank partitions bring natural light and translucent visibility from the outside in.
Glass walls open up into an intimate and cognitive outdoor learning environment that is shaded from outside campus activity.
For more information about El Camino College’s STEM Center and the programs it supports, visit http://www.elcamino.edu/academics/stem/
All photos by Lawrence Anderson.
