STEM Laboratories Renovation

STEM Laboratories Renovation VIRTUAL RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY

Welcome!

Thank you for joining us for our virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the $3.5 million renovation of science laboratories at Penn State Schuylkill.

To get things started, we turn to Chancellor Patrick M. Jones:

(Viewing note: After each video concludes, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the screen to close the video and proceed with the ribbon-cutting ceremony.)

Thank you to our generous donors for making these renovations possible.

These improvements were made possible through the philanthropic support of many friends of Penn State Schuylkill. Thank you to our donors for your generosity and partnership in helping us educate the next generation of scientists and healthcare workers. Because of you, they will learn in modern laboratories with the latest equipment.

John E. Morgan Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Steve and Mrs. Marjorie Cotler
WJP Engineers
M&T Charitable Foundation
Synthomer Foundation
Dr. David Sims and Ms. Veronica Soltis
Mr. Sam Weiss
Dr. Michael J. and Mrs. Barbara Cardamone
Ms. Darlene Robbins
Ms. Karen Kenderdine
Mr. Jerry D. and Mrs. Farideh Bowman

The John E. Morgan Foundation was pleased to offer the challenge grant in support of Penn State Schuylkill’s renovation of its STEM labs. The campus provides students the opportunity to achieve their academic potential, and it is important to have quality, cutting-edge facilities where they can learn and succeed. Penn State Schuylkill does a lot for the county, and we are delighted to be able to help advance the mission and work of the campus. It is also the Foundation’s honor to be able to continue Mr. Morgan’s legacy, one that includes the naming of the John E. Morgan Auditorium and student scholarship support. Despite never having an opportunity to attend college, Mr. Morgan placed an emphasis on higher education. Although he avoided publicity himself, the Morgan Foundation hopes that others might be inspired by his philanthropy. - Jim Zigmant, President, John E. Morgan Foundation

Creating Opportunities for Our Students

Next, join Dr. Darcy L. Medica, Penn State Schuylkill's director of academic affairs, to learn more about the significance of these renovations to the student experience and faculty research:

With access to these incredible new spaces and equipment, Penn State Schuylkill students will be better positioned to conduct world-class research with faculty and learn hands-on skills that will serve them well for future graduate school and workplace opportunities.

Organic Chemistry and General Chemistry Labs

We now introduce you to Dr. Lee Silverberg, associate professor of chemistry and STEM division coordinator at Penn State Schuylkill:

The organic chemistry lab is significant because it marks the first dedicated space of its type on campus. The lab features new analytical equipment including an infrared spectrometer and a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, as well as six fume hoods for student use, a dedicated research hood, a balance enclosure fume hood, and a hazardous waste hood.

Connecting the organic chemistry and general chemistry labs is a storage room and prep area with a hood that passes through to the general chemistry lab.

The new general chemistry lab offers workspaces for 24 students. Above every lab station is a localized overhead ventilation system known as a snorkel. The lab also features a white board and projector so faculty members can seamlessly integrate lecture and lab spaces.

Sophomore biology student Grace Muench is one of five students currently working alongside Dr. Silverberg on his heterocyclic organic chemistry research. Upon seeing the new labs for the first time, she reflected, "It was hard to believe that it was our lab. Everything is brand new and state of the art. The environment for me is more conducive for learning and researching. The new equipment and clean space makes me want to spend even more time in the lab than I already do."

Clockwise from top left: the organic chemistry lab, the passthrough hood from the prep room to the general chemistry lab, and two views of the general chemistry lab featuring snorkel exhaust fume hoods.

Radiological Sciences Lab

Next up, Mrs. Hilary Yotko, lecturer and program coordinator for Penn State Schuylkill's radiological sciences program, takes us on a tour of their new lab space:

The renovated radiological sciences lab features new energized, fully digital equipment:

a radiographic unit with direct digital recording capabilities for imaging labs that includes an X-ray tube, table and control panel,
and a C-arm, which is the type of machine used in operating rooms.

As part of the renovation the program also acquired a new full-body, take-apart PIXY phantom simulated patient that allows students to practice positioning and see the effects of imaging on various body parts.

Kalista Miller, a freshman radiological sciences major, has been working in the renovated lab this semester. She said, “The new equipment is so smooth and effortless to maneuver, which makes not only me but my fellow students more confident when practicing. We appreciate the opportunity to work in the new lab because it makes us better students and prepares us for the real world of X-ray.”

Physics Lab

We conclude our ribbon-cutting ceremony by joining Dr. Michael Gallis, associate professor of physics, for a tour of the updated physics lab:

Upgrades to the physics lab focus on new software and equipment with features such as wireless sensors that allow students to manipulate experiments and record data without becoming tangled in wires. Additional equipment includes a charge-to-mass-ratio electron experiment, a Van de Graaff generator, a vacuum/pressure pump, a bell jar, and two powerful new telescopes:

a Celestron Advanced VX 8-inch Newtonian reflector telescope nicknamed "Cecilia" for Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, a 20th century American astronomer and astrophysicist, and
a Meade LX200 12-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector telescope dubbed "Annie" for Annie Jump Cannon, a late 19th century and early 20th century American astronomer.

Michael Johnson-Ponce is a sophomore Penn State Schuylkill Honors Program student and chemical engineering major who has been part of a team that commissioned a challenging new Cavendish experiment. He said, “The experiment uses a piece of equipment called a ‘gravitational torsion balance.’ My first thought when looking at the apparatus was, ‘How in the world is this supposed to work?’ It took a lot of re-reading the procedure to get my bearings, but in the end, I was glad to have been able to use the equipment. It was a really nice opportunity for me to experiment with something challenging.”

Thank you to our donors for your generosity and partnership in helping us educate the next generation of scientists and healthcare workers. Because of you, they will learn in modern laboratories with the latest equipment. - Dr. Patrick M. Jones, Chancellor

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