Classes begin Sept. 3 at the new Catherine and Isiah Leggett Math and Science Building that is located at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus of Montgomery College.
A ribbon cutting ceremony is set for Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. at the STEM education building, which spans 108,000 square feet and is three stories.
There are 20 advanced labs, 8 classrooms and a planetarium with 100 movable seats under a tiled 30-foot dome. Software enables the college to offer 360 degree virtual reality video and sound.
There also are centers for math and science and cybersecurity as well as a greenhouse.
There are four general chemistry labs, two organic chemistry labs, three anatomy and physiology labs, five biology labs, three microbiology labs, two physics and engineering labs, one environmental ecology lab, one networking lab, a Local Area Network room and four computer labs.
“I am thrilled that our local residents and students now have access to this state-of-the-art facility where they can master the skills needed for high-demand STEM careers,” said Dr. Jermaine F. Williams, president of Montgomery College., in a news release.
“The Catherine and Isiah Leggett Building is the culmination of years of efforts to ensure that our students at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus have equitable access to math and science instruction in a modern, fully equipped and sustainable building.”
101 trees were planted, and energy-efficient buildings and operations included.
Montgomery County provided $104 million toward the facility.
