A montage of illuminated science-related images, several stories high. An elliptical flex-space classroom filled with angular lights. And an enthusiastic group of faculty, guests, students and dignitaries. These were the sights that greeted hundreds of attendees as the doors opened to the new VCU STEM Building this past spring.

The April 26, 2023, ribbon-cutting marked the completion of an eight-year project — and the starting point of inspiration for thousands of students in dozens of majors.

In her speech at the standing-room-only grand opening, Sally Hunnicutt, Ph.D., associate dean for faculty and academic affairs (science and mathematics) in the College of Humanities and Sciences, said, “This building and this space are the physical embodiment of the mission of VCU and the College of Humanities and Sciences. We put our students first, right at the heart of their educational journey. To welcome our students, we intentionally designed and constructed a building that is beautiful, functional and interdisciplinary.”

Located at the site of the former Franklin Street Gym, the CHS’s 169,000-square-foot STEM Building is now welcoming about 8,000 students each semester. Most of the courses taught in the building are designed for first- and second-year students.

“These students are at a point where they are generating enthusiasm and interest for specific topics,” Hunnicutt said. ”They’re building a culture of teamwork and interdisciplinary study. The environment and technology here will help them fall in love with their program — to explore areas earlier in their journey, and to bring out their unlimited passion for learning.”

The six-floor building greatly expands lab, classroom and office space for the CHS. Nearly 60% of VCU undergraduate students are enrolled in the college, which includes 17 departments, two schools and three programs.

The new building includes space for the CHS’s three largest majors: psychology, biology, and kinesiology and health sciences. It also serves as the entry point for mathematics, chemistry and physics students, and for upper-level courses in biochemistry, modern physics, anthropology and forensic science. And even though it is called the STEM Building, courses in subjects including philosophy; gender, sexuality and women’s studies; sociology; mass communications and history are also being taught in the new facility.

Designed for collaborative, student-centered learning

“We know that giving students direct experience ‘doing’ is highly fruitful for learning,” Hunnicutt said. “So, as you walk through the STEM Building, you’ll find laboratory spaces that incorporate big ideas – like great sight lines and individual snorkel hoods – with innovative details like under-cabinet vacuum generation, electronic shades and student cubbies with power. These little (and big) details have a major impact on students’ laboratory experiences. As VCU students have told me over the years: They value laboratory learning.”

Throughout the building, one can note the attention placed on collaborative learning. In 200-person classes, tables are hexagonal, so students can work together for more active learning. Screens are plentiful. And instructors aren’t at the head of the class on a stage — instead, they are teaching throughout the space, creating a more engaging, interactive learning environment. There are also many white boards throughout, so students can outline ideas as part of casual conversations with others. Even hybrid courses have become more dynamic, as cameras follow instructors through the classroom while they teach.

In its first year, the building has also generated interest in STEM through special events. Poster sessions for chemistry graduate students and undergrads were held early in the fall semester. In September, a STEM scavenger hunt encouraged exploration throughout the building, with many of the 150+ attendees taking selfies with an ape skull. A career and internship fair for kinesiology and health sciences was held in November.

In all, student reviews of the new STEM Building have been spectacular. Said Hunnicutt: “One KHS major said to me, ‘I’m never going to leave!’”