PRHS Expansion Update (February 2012)

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Recent Articles on Expansion Project
"Post-Gazette" - "Steam center at Pine-Richland almost finished"
"Tribune-Review" - "Let science inspire, educators emphasize"

February 2012

The Pine-Richland High School expansion project continues to move forward. Crews are completing the interior of the STEAM addition. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics.

Project Highlights

  • STEAM Committee formed. The STEAM Committee met on Feb. 7 to begin discussing ways to:
  1. Encourage student participation and interest in the program
  2. Connect professionals in STEAM-related careers with district curriculum
  3. Build connections with local industries and maintain a relationship with the Carnegie Science Center
  4. Develop a plan to address goals in relation to STEAM curriculum, instruction and assessment strategies

The center will be the hub of planning and collaboration across the disciplines, while connecting the STEAM disciplines to the outside world.

Interdisciplinary approach to curriculum will happen in earnest next year.

The Carnegie Science Center will work with the district on a STEAM curriculum that will be implemented K-12.

Goal to integrate "real-world" activities with real-world applications.

Expansion Details

  • The center incorporates science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
  • An additional 106,388-square-feet of space is being added to the 272,594-square-foot building.
  • The two-story area with labs on both floors surrounded by glass so the products of the curriculum can be showcased to students.
  • The official groundbreaking was held in November 2010.

STEAM Classrooms include:

  • Art, biology, business, chemistry, computers, computer-aided drafting engineering, manufacturing, math, robotics, systems & technology.

First Floor

  • The first floor will have technology education classrooms, which include drafting, design, manufacturing, production and robotics. There will be a computer-aided drafting lab is adjacent to it.
  • On first floor, there will be math and science classrooms and labs as well as a courtyard.
  • The former guidance will be part of the district's atrium/cafeteria space, although the cafeteria and food service area underwent renovation last summer. Former guidance area is being used as three temporary classrooms.
  • The former nurses' area became more administration space and a conference room.

  • Existing large group instruction room was refinished.

Second Floor

  • Art will be positioned above technology education and will be surrounded by glass to encourage students to see what other students are creating.
  • A graphic design computer lab will be attached to art area.
  • Math and science classrooms will be located on the second and first floors.

Exterior

  • Parking lot and driveway were reconfigured.


After Feb./March - Next Step

  • Existing art and music areas behind the school stage will be renovated
  • The art will then move to STEAM Center making way for expanded space for music department.
  • The Global Studies Department will be created - Old science rooms will be converted into the global studies department and will be used in conjunction with social studies and world languages.

Beyond March

  • Roadway improvements are expected to begin near the secondary campus. The board approved for the highway improvement plan for the secondary campus.