February 4, 2010

PENSACOLA, Fla. - A futuristic place to learn is how officials describe the new School of Science and Engineering at the University of West Florida School.

Earlier this month, the university invited the community to celebrate a three-day grand opening ceremony of its $31 million building committed to science, technology, engineering and math. The facility was built to meet the constant changing demands in the field of science critical to maintaining a strong regional and national economy.

The four story building offers students courses in computer science, computer information science, computer and electrical engineering, computer engineering, mathematics and statistics, physics and software engineering. It houses 22 labs, 11 classrooms, along with office space and meeting rooms.

A part of the number of programs designed to fuel the imagination of its students is the Holodeck and Telepresence labs installed by NavTech, a wholly owned subsidiary of Navigator Development Group Inc. The holodeck is a curved wall, which presents a 3-D environment in a natural way and makes the observer feel fully immersed in the virtual experience.

Leo ter Haar, director of the School of Science and Engineering, said at first glance the department might look like it's about fancy equipment and exotic labs like the holodeck. But, he added, it really is about teaching and learning, scholarship and creativity, service and community.

University of West Florida administrators and dignitaries cut the ribbon on the new facility.

Attendees got a chance to see the bone structure of a head during a demonstration in the Holodeck Lab.

        
The new University of West Florida School of Science and Engineering.