Whitmer Human Resource Center Science Lab

Pontiac School District WHRC Building is a home of three different programs –

International Technology Academy,
International Language Academy and
Special Education Academy.
For the past seven years enrollment has been increasing. With 100% graduation rate and 96% acceptance to college, school officials are making sure that Project-Based Learning is supported by adequate learning spaces. The new Science Lab was one of the projects that would allow those gifted students achieve their full potential.

Original building did not have science lab spaces. The new science lab project was designed by combining two classrooms into one science lab with prep room space, 5 workstations for 30 students total, a teacher instruction station, and a projection wall.

This new lab is the only science lab in the building so centrally locating it was important. For safety, a lab eye wash and gas shut off was installed, in addition to new additional egress to the exterior.

One of the uniqueness of this newly designed space is incorporating ZSpace stations. Those stations are allowing students to learn using the latest technology of virtual and augmented reality. Learning through AR and VR helps teachers to create multi-sensory experiences for students through truly immersive virtual content. Students work together collaboratively in groups to solve the problem and their results can be viewed by the entire class. Students and teachers are proud of their new space which can be seen passing through school corridors by a fire rated glass opening added to bring more daylight and openness to the space.