Science Center Renovation at Evergreen Park High School

Research behind the Transformation

Technologically outdated, undersized and dysfunctional for today’s curriculum, the land locked, high school science labs offered tremendous potential for improvement. Half of the labs were located in interior classrooms that had no natural daylight, an amenity that flooded the more than ample adjacent corridor. The physical relationship of the labs made it challenging for teachers to collaborate as well as to conduct safe experiments.  A major change was needed to create a student-centered classroom design that would inspire the questioning and critical thinking demanded by today’s standards. The process began with an educational evaluation to establish goals for the science department’s teaching methodologies.  Increases in cooperative learning, student centered spaces, project based learning, shared spaces, flexibility and learning on display were the goals which led the charge for the architectural solution.

Removing the “Sage on the Stage” physically and philosophically enabled the labs to become a student centered environment.
The Physics Lab was designed for maximum flexibility. It is equipped with a VA pipe grid to hang experiments, moveable lab furniture and flooring depicting a meter grid to make measurements quick and easy.
Students learn by collaborating to understand scientific theories, peer mentoring as they progress.
This rendering helped the school's staff and administrators to understand how the design would look.
Each year, one exceptional science student is honored by being inducted into the Science Hall of Fame. The new wall graphics bring a sense of history to this accolade.

Learning Happens Everywhere

The renovation transformed a section of the 50-year old facility into a tool for 21st Century Education. Eliminating some redundant corridor space and pushing the learning spaces to the perimeter of the building captured a versatile focal point for this science center renovation. This became a student exhibition area, located in the core of the science wing. It allows for a great deal of flexibility for all science curriculums and a great break out space for small groups and student presentations.  Also included in the space are moveable marker boards that the students can record data on and then hang in various locations throughout the exhibit space or in the labs to present their findings.

Empowering the “Guide on the Side”

Removing the “Sage on the Stage” physically and philosophically enabled the labs to become a student-centered environment. A teacher collaboration area not only inspires co-curricular teaching plans but allows a space for personal belongings outside of the labs – giving back space to the student learning areas. An Independent Research Lab provides advanced students the dedicated space to complete admission requirements for elite higher education institutions. Large windows allow students to see what is happening behind the walls of all learning spaces putting learning in the new 21st Century labs on display. Students and teachers both have access to a flexible, large conference room.  The architecture for this renovation supports the school’s desire to give both more freedom and more responsibility to their students when it comes to learning.

The student exhibition area, located in the core of the science wing, allows for a great deal of flexibility for all science curriculums and a great break out space for small groups and student presentations.
Rather than a typical podium, the Technology Flex Station is a movable Tech Control Panel for the Room. Overhead power reels and strategically placed floor outlets maximize flexibility for electricity and data is accessed wirelessly.
A teacher collaboration area not only inspires co-curricular teaching plans but allows a space for personal belongings outside of the labs – giving back space to the student learning areas.
The student exhibition area, located in the core of the science wing, allows for a great deal of flexibility for all science curriculums and a great break out space for small groups and student presentations.
An Independent Research Lab provides advanced students the dedicated space to complete admission requirements for elite higher education institutions.
Removing the “Sage on the Stage” physically and philosophically enabled the labs to become a student centered environment.

Related Works

Other stunning projects for our amazing clients

Future-Ready and Net Zero STEM Spaces
Revitalizing Creativity: Culinary and Fashion Interior Renovations to Empower Next-Gen Innovators
Developing Career Skills in a Future-Ready Learning Environment
Ignite Creativity with a Student-Centric Approach to Design Thinking
New Elementary School Designed for Anywhere, Anytime Learning
Master Facilities Plan to Guide Innovative 21st-century Upgrades
New Elementary School designed to make learning more flexible
New Early Learning Center is Child-Centered, Nature-Inspired, and Energy Efficient
Changes at Nearly 100 Year Old High School Create a 21st Century Education Environment
New Nature-Inspired Playground
Addition provides much needed space for vibrant Fine Arts programs
Making a Middle School
Reimagined Learning Spaces
Putting the Cool in Culinary Arts
Fieldhouse Rises from the Rubble
Transforming an Existing High School for Today’s Learners
Long-Range Plan at Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School
Classrooms Tailored to Next Generation Science Curriculum
Expansion Yields Limitless Possibilities for Performing Arts
Student Focused Renovations
Share Our Work