Professor of Chemistry Dr. Gary Evett talks to students about the new Fallon Science lab.
It’s an ideal time to be a science student at Nevada Western College’s Fallon campus.
Chemistry and biology faculty and students will enjoy the renovated and expanded Science Laboratory in Virgil Getto Hall.
The finishing touches on the $1 million project were completed last spring, building excitement and enthusiasm before the fall semester begins on Aug. 29.
The improvement project, which includes Rooms 309 and 310 in Virgil Getto Hall, was generously funded by the William N. Pennington Foundation, which has been instrumental in improving classroom experiences and learning for Western Nevada College science students across campuses. WNC. Previously, the Pennington Foundation funded new biochemistry and human cadaver laboratories, as well as a state-of-the-art Biology Laboratory with an Anatomy Table at the Carson City campus.
More than anything, the renovation and expansion of the laboratory in Fallon enabled WNC to add technological advances to the facility and create a learning space that will enhance WNC’s ability to serve students and improve on dramatically the learning experiences from teacher to student in the laboratory.
“The facility also has up-to-date student resources and the capacity to offer responsive distance learning, lab imaging and high-quality demonstrations to students who may need to take these courses from their homes or from rural communities outside the boundaries of Fallon. This will help more students in Northern Nevada access education and achieve their career goals,” said Fallon Campus Principal Jessica Rowe.
Class adjustment is one of the biggest changes. The new circular student lab tables promote interaction and teamwork among students. Along with a variety of LCD televisions around the perimeter of the lab, the demonstrations will be more visible and teaching-friendly to students who may have had difficulty following them in previous teaching formats.
Students will also benefit from the use and guidance of a more modern Anatomy Chart. This virtual dissection tool features an 8-foot display of preloaded cadaver, medical scans showing pathology (MRI or X-ray), and more. Instructional Technology has connected the desk to the bank of LCD TVs, bringing more uniformity and advanced technology to the lab.
Rowe expects the new facility will help promote enrollment in other programs:
“We anticipate that this will help us welcome students into our Nursing program and science-based fields of study. Many of our students may not have these opportunities otherwise. We can give our support in stabilizing these necessary areas in the region”, she said. “As we know, the field of nursing and health care is experiencing shortages and these shortages are particularly painful in rural regions. These lab courses are also the foundation of many areas of transfer that are experiencing great need in the communities around us.”
Naturally, professors at the Fallon campus are excited about the new ways they’ll be able to teach and inspire students this fall. Biology professor Rachelle Bassen and Biosciences professor Dr. Gary Evett have begun preparing the lab for the students. Their enthusiasm follows the excitement that began when the project began last year.
“Having a renovated Biology and Chemistry lab brings new energy to the science programs here at WNC,” Fallon biology professor Holly O’Toole said when the project was unveiled. “Students will love working in the updated research space with advanced equipment, and anatomy students will gain an improved depth of understanding with the addition of the Anatomy Table. I am very excited to be able to offer labs in the new space!”
The community will also be introduced to the laboratory. Rowe said the children will visit Friday once a month for science-based and STEAM-centered learning activities. A community event is planned for Oct. 14 to highlight the careers students are taking in WNC’s classrooms.
“We had a great response from area artists and professionals, the Churchill Arts Council, the Sheriff’s Office, NAS Fire Services and Churchill County over the summer, and we’d love to have the science lab there,” Rowe said. for college career day.
Research students will also benefit from the new laboratory space. Dr. Evett has led that group of students each summer in INBRE research and is eager to move the program into the updated lab.
To learn more about the Fallon campus and what it has to offer, call 775-445-3379 or email [email protected]. Science classes are filling up fast! To enroll, go to wnc.edu/enroll.