By TIERRA HAYES – Staff Writer
As part of Phase II of Clarke Central High School’s renovation, the science department will move from the third floor of the east wing to the first floor of the west wing.
The construction of the new science wing is projected to be completed by Jan. of the 2014-15 school year. These renovations will move the science department, currently on the third floor of the main building, to the first floor of the West Wing.
“We hope to have it done by Christmas,” SPLOST project manager Joe Dunagan said. “All of the science department is on the third floor now and the plan is to move the science department off the third floor so that all of the Freshman Village can go up there.”
The new science wing will include many new classroom labs. Instead of having a room for lecturing and a lab the two will be combined to increase efficiency and to save space.
“The current chemistry lab is satisfactory, but for the number of students I have I often worry about materials and equipment being accidentally knocked over,” science department teacher Thomasina Miranda said. “It makes me hesitant to do certain labs for fear of a serious accident. Having suitable stations for realistic class sizes will be a great convenience.”
According to Dunagan, the classes will include two chemistry labs, a physics lab, a general use lab and a physics lab that will also cater to robotics. In addition there will be three biology labs on the third floor of the main building where the freshmen will be housed.
“This building was built in 1954,” Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker said. “ I think (the teachers) are very excited and are looking forward to having something new.”
Miranda says she is optimistic about the possibilities for her new classroom as she will soon be in a much different environment.
“It’s one thing to see little boxes on paper, but to actually see the classrooms we will be moving into is exciting for me,” Miranda said.
