Fallon’s Cutting-Edge Science Lab Creates Excitement
Now is the ideal time to become a science student at Western Nevada College’s Fallon Campus.
Chemistry and Biology faculty and students can enjoy the newly renovated and expanded science laboratories at Virgil Getto Hall.
The finishing touches on the million-dollar project were completed this spring, generating excitement and enthusiasm before the start of the fall semester on August 29th.
The improvement project, including rooms 309 and 310 in Virgil Getto Hall, was generously funded by the William N. Pennington Foundation, which has contributed to improving the classroom and learning experience for science students at Western Nevada College across the WNC campus. . Previously, the Pennington Foundation funded a new biochemistry and human cadaver lab, as well as a state-of-the-art biology lab with an anatomical table on the Carson City campus.
Above all, the renovation and expansion of Fallon’s lab will allow WNC to add technological advancements to its facilities, enhance WNC’s ability to serve students, and provide learning opportunities that dramatically improve the lab’s teacher-to-teacher learning experience. I was able to create a space.
“The facility includes state-of-the-art student resources and responsive remote courses, high-quality lab images, and demonstrations for students who need to take these courses from home or from Fallon’s off-border rural communities. This will help more students in Northern Nevada reach their educational and professional goals,” said Jessica Rowe, Fallon Campus Director.
Classroom placement is one of the biggest changes. A new circular student lab table encourages interaction and teamwork among students. Coupled with the various LCD TVs placed along the perimeter of the lab, the demonstrations are easier to watch and teach to students who may have struggled to follow them in previous teaching formats.
Students also benefit from the use and instruction of state-of-the-art anatogram tables. This virtual dissection tool features her 8-foot display of pre-loaded cadavers, medical scans (MRI or X-ray) showing medical conditions, and more. Instructional technology connects the table to a series of LCD TVs, bringing more uniform and advanced technology to the lab.
Rowe hopes the new facility will help drive enrollment into other programs.
“We hope this will allow us to welcome students into nursing programs and science-focused areas of study. Many of our students may not otherwise have these opportunities. We can scale up our support to stabilize these areas where they are needed in the region,” she said. “As we know, the nursing and health care sector is experiencing shortages, and these shortages are particularly acute in rural areas. These lab courses are in high demand in the communities that surround us. It is also the basis for many transitional areas that we are experiencing.”
Naturally, Fallon Campus professors are excited about the new ways they can teach and inspire students this fall. Her Rachelle Bassen Professor of Biology and her Dr. Gary Evett, Professor of Biological Sciences, began preparing the lab for students. Their enthusiasm continues the excitement at the project’s launch last year.
When the project surfaced, Fallon Biology professor Holly O’Toole said: “Students will love working in a modern research space with advanced equipment, and anatomy students will love the addition of the Anatomage table to enhance their understanding. We are really excited to offer it!”
The community will also become familiar with the lab. Rowe says the children visit her once a month on Fridays for her science-based STEAM-focused learning activities. Her community event is scheduled for October 14th and will spotlight the careers WNC classes bring to students.
“We had a great response from local artists and professionals, the Churchill Arts Council, the Sheriff’s Office, the NAS Fire Department, and Churchill County over the summer. Mr Lowe said. college career day.
Research students will also benefit from the new lab space. Dr. Evett leads that group of students in his INBRE research each summer and is eager to move the program into the state-of-the-art lab.
For more information about the Fallon campus and what it offers, call 775-445-3379 or email fallon@wnc.edu. Science classes fill up fast! To enroll, go to wnc.edu/enroll.