This year, students and teachers have the opportunity to take classes and teach in the new STEM building, Young Hall. Young Hall, dedicated to Studie and Zach Young on Aug. 7, has given the science department, college advising, and students more space to work throughout the day. The two-story building holds biology and physics labs, robotics classes, and college advising on the bottom floor and chemistry labs, teacher offices, and the junior-senior lounge on the second floor.
The addition of a STEM building to Wesleyan’s campus has not only positively impacted the science department, but it has also allowed each department to have its own space on campus. The new classrooms in Young Hall are much bigger than the old classrooms in Cleghorn and “when you can have more lab space, more classroom space, more meeting space, you make everyone’s lives easier,” Chemistry teacher and Assistant Dean of Student Life Dr. Isiah Hill said. For example, the English hall is now located in the library on the top floor of Wesley, which was once where the STEM classes were located. While moving classrooms is always somewhat of a struggle, the spaciousness, proximity to other classes in the same department, and elimination of teaching in multiple different rooms has made the move worth it for so many teachers.
As with all new things, though there has been great benefit in having the STEM building there have also been some challenges. The main challenge that both teachers and students have pointed out is that the distance needed to travel between classes within the time allotted to do so can be difficult to accomplish. Many students’ schedules have them going from the top floor of Cleghorn all the way to Young Hall and back. While it is not impossible to make this walk in the five minutes between classes, many students in the first weeks of school have found it difficult to make it to class on time while still learning their schedules and the new layout of their classes. Hill said, “there are always challenges when it comes to change…. but the excitement felt towards the new building outweighs any angst,” and as time passes these challenges can be worked out to better benefit everyone.
Though there have been some challenges for students, their overall opinions towards Young Hall are positive. Senior Mike Hughes said Young Hall “allows Wesleyan to expand its STEM program which is a growing sector in today’s world” and it benefits students by giving them “access to better resources and prepares them for potential careers in STEM fields.” Similarly, junior Anastasia Lamas believes Young Hall is a great addition to Wesleyan school and she enjoys all the new amenities available. “Being in a new space with new equipment and supplies is really cool after having been in the same spaces for 3 years,” Senior Helen Wanjohi said. The list of positives students are saying about Young Hall goes on and on, and even those who have faced some difficulties with getting to class on time agree that this new building is a blessing to Wesleyan.
This school year has brought about many changes to Wesleyan school, its students, and the faculty, but the addition of Young Hall to Wesleyan’s campus has been a highly beneficial and well received change. As the school year progresses and everyone becomes more accustomed to having the STEM building, we as a school will be able to see what a blessing it is to have.
