{"id":743,"date":"2024-02-06T09:21:08","date_gmt":"2024-02-06T17:21:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cas.wsu.edu\/alumni\/?page_id=743"},"modified":"2026-03-19T09:52:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T16:52:52","slug":"building-the-future-of-science-at-wsu","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cas.wsu.edu\/alumni\/building-the-future-of-science-at-wsu\/","title":{"rendered":"Integrated Science Building"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Integrated Sciences Building<\/span><\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A New Home for STEM Learning at WSU<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Spaces designed for hands-on learning give students the opportunity to explore science, discover their potential, and prepare for careers in healthcare, engineering, and technology.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Our vision is simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STEM is for every student.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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The Integrated Sciences Building (ISB) will anchor WSU\u2019s emerging Science Corridor, serving more than 6,000 undergraduates annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many WSU students, stepping into a research lab is the moment everything changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students, many of them first-generation and from rural communities across Washington, will discover they belong in science through access to state-of-the-art labs and modern learning spaces. In these environments, they learn how to ask questions, design experiments, and work alongside faculty mentors.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Conceptual renderings. Design details and materials will continue to evolve as planning progresses.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Why Integrated Science<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Science evolves quickly. While we cannot predict discoveries ahead, we can prepare students to think critically, collaborate across disciplines, and adapt.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The ISB will enable WSU students to engage in hands-on scientific inquiry, collaborate across disciplines, and apply what they learn to real-world challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faculty will teach using modern pedagogical approaches that emphasize experimentation, teamwork, and problem solving in spaces designed to inspire discovery and reflect how science and technology are practiced in the real world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ISB will serve future scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists, and healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Spaces like this change how students experience science. When students can experiment and ask questions together, they start to see themselves as scientists.”<\/p>\nCourtney Meehan, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Why It Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Expanding Access<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One-third of WSU students are first-generation, rural, or low-income. The ISB will ensure they have access to modern STEM learning environments that support their success.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Recruitment & Retention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Modern science facilities help attract talented students and keep them engaged in STEM majors through graduation.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Innovation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a land-grant university, WSU prepares students to solve real-world challenges. The ISB will foster interdisciplinary collaboration and creative problem solving that drives discovery.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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By the Numbers<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t40%<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tof all Pullman undergraduates will take at least one course in the facility<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
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\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t80%<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tof STEM majors will complete lab coursework here<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
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\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t6,000+ students annually<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tTaking courses, labs, and receiving advising in the building<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Why Now?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many of WSU\u2019s core chemistry labs are currently housed in facilities built in the mid-20th century, not designed for modern science education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Situated across from Schweitzer Engineering Hall, ISB will anchor the WSU Science Corridor, a strategic priority in the Pullman campus 10-year master plan. Together, these facilities will create a natural pipeline for students pursuing careers in STEM fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Demand for STEM graduates continues to grow across Washington and the nation. ISB will expand access to modern STEM learning while preparing the next generation of Cougs for the industries and communities that depend on them.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Momentum and Opportunity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The State of Washington has already committed $25 million<\/strong> for site preparation and design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philanthropic support will help complete the student-centered learning environments that make the Integrated Sciences Building transformational for students.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cougs have always stepped forward when WSU, and the state, needed bold ideas and lasting investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one of those moments.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Project Timeline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n