New Science Lab in Denmark Hall Extends CED's STEM Capacity

CED Technology and Facilities team is excited to unveil CED's first dedicated science laboratory in 20 Denmark Hall.

This lab is the most recent expression of CED’s continued dedication to bridging the fields of science and art for meaningful innovation. In June 2021, USG recognized the Master of Landscape Architecture program as a STEM discipline. This designation was the result of CED staff and administration advocacy following ASLA joining the STEM Education Coalition in 2018.

Receiving this official acknowledgement of the inter-disciplinary nature of landscape architecture provided opportunities for growth and improvement of curriculum, overall programming, and facilities.

During fall 2021, Lee Cornell worked with Professors Cari Goetcheus, Chris Jackson, Alfie Vick, and Jon Calabria to submit a UGA Laboratory Enhancement Request which received $40,000 in funding. The construction of this new lab converted an unused darkroom into a lab support room with washout sink, eye wash station, and storage as well as new laboratory tables and a chemical cabinet. The lab will be used for research and instruction in building materials conservation, ecology, sustainability, and material use.

While this new facility will primarily be a resource for CED students, there are plans to extend success to the larger UGA student community. For example, Professor Alfie Vick is working to get LAND 2310, Introduction to Sustainability, listed as a General Education course open to all UGA students. By inviting more students into the lab space, CED hopes to introduce a variety of students to the field and discover even more opportunities for collaboration and interdisciplinary work.

The CED Technology and Facilities team is focused on continuing to improve and diversify classroom and lab offerings. They are currently seeking funding for equipment, lab seating, and upgrades to the Building Materials Library.