Braddock Center for Science and Innovation Opens at Cal State Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV
- BY KIMBERLY HAWKINS
- PHOTOGRAPHY BY Garvin Tso
- December 9, 2024
Solving today’s complex problems—from climate change and public health crises to sustainable food practices and transportation—requires an interdisciplinary approach. Cal State Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV’s Braddock Center for Science and Innovation offers faculty and students 20,000 square feet of space with cutting-edge technology to work on research that could have a real-world impact.
The state-of-the-art applied sciences center, which officially opened on Nov. 13, was completely funded through private support, including a lead challenge gift from The Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation and a $5M grant from Braddock Philanthropies and Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV natives Robert Braddock and Cherie Keemar.
“The Braddock Center for Science and Innovation advances California State Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV’s ability to equip our students with the training and skills they need to succeed, said Cal State Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV President Cathy Sandeen during the ribbon-cutting ceremony last month. “Within these walls, our students will learn science by doing science. Students at Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV will be participating in unique research opportunities while working
shoulder-to-shoulder with faculty.”
The College of Science is Cal State Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV’s fastest-growing college. The center was built to expand opportunities for faculty-mentored student research and accommodate the rapid growth in students studying the sciences at Cal State Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV. In addition, local K-12 students are welcome at the center for projects and science-based field trips.
The two-story building was designed and built to transform teaching and learning. It has four cutting-edge research labs and five instruction spaces. One of the labs is dedicated to the Green Biome Institute, which studies and conserves California’s endangered plants.
“The direct and engaging experiences of hands-on, inquiry-based science will draw out students’ sense of wonder and readily lend themselves to profound conversations,” said Cal State Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV Interim Provost Kim Greer. “Students, excited by their discoveries, will be motivated to share, discuss, and debate their findings with others. This building provides the space and tools for this engagement.”
Classes will be held in the Braddock Center for Science and Innovation starting in Spring 2025.