Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Begins STEM Center Construction

Construction has begun on a 52,500-ft² STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Education Center at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott, Ariz., campus, set for completion in fall of 2017.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's STEM Education Center is being built in Prescott, Ariz. Courtesy of Embry-Riddle.

The building will contain classrooms, meeting rooms, a multimedia center and a planetarium dome for the campus’ astronomical observatory. It will also house 20 labs for faculty and students. Robotics labs will support the fastest-growing program on campus, mechanical engineering, which launched in 2006, with biology, chemistry and physics labs to enhance undergraduate programs in biology and pre-med.

The Raisbeck Engineering Design Studio will provide students with hands-on experience working on next-generation commercial aircraft, military aircraft and unmanned aerial systems. A small supercomputer system will be available for use by students and faculty in computational and simulation sciences, and a space lab will provide small satellite and space systems development.

In addition to engineering programs, the facilities will support degree programs in astronomy, forensic biology, space physics and wildlife science as well as a new bachelor’s degree in simulations science, gaming and animation.