Science Building – Oak Hall
Building the Future of Science at FLC
Construction is currently underway on Folsom Lake College’s new Science Building at the main campus, creating a highly visible new entryway from East Bidwell Street, a main thoroughfare for the Folsom community.
Upon completion, the 75,000 gross sq. ft. instructional building, that will be named Oak Hall, will be the largest science facility within the Los Rios Community College District and will house six Biology labs, six Chemistry labs, and a 4,000 sq. ft. Science Center.
Careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields are in high demand. The increased physical space will allow Folsom Lake College to significantly expand its science programs to support the needs of our growing student body who are seeking degrees and certificates in these lucrative fields.
The state-of-the-art building is also representative of the college’s continued commitment to smart and sustainable construction as it is on track to obtain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification from the United States Green Building Council, will feature eight electrical vehicle charging stations (EVCS), and will also minimize gas loads to reduce the production of greenhouse gases.
The estimated construction cost of $64.9 million is funded by local bond Measure M, which voters approved in 2008 to support the construction of new facilities and the modernization of existing facilities within the Los Rios Community College District, along with additional funding from the State of California. The building was designed by HMC Architects and Otto Construction is serving as the lead contractor. Both businesses have been serving the Sacramento region for over 75 years.
The instructional building is projected to be completed in May 2025, with classes being offered in the new building for the Fall 2025 semester.
View Renderings of Science Building
It’s an exciting time to work in science! New frontiers are opening up every day, as scientists make new discoveries that address the most pressing issues that impact society, on both a local and global level. The demand for a workforce with science competency is expected to increase, especially in our region. The Sacramento Area Councils of Government (SACOG) projects that jobs in the Sacramento region through 2050 will outpace the state and nation in job growth, particularly in the areas of scientific research and healthcare. Science is at the core of innovation and our region needs a growing workforce to develop solutions to today’s toughest challenges, yet the demand is outpacing the graduation rates of science students in our region.
Folsom Lake College is addressing tomorrow’s workforce needs today with the construction of the new Science Building and will foster the next generation of innovative thinkers, discovery makers, and scientists who will change the world.
“Science on Display” is a philosophy of teaching and learning that integrates science studies into the simple experience of walking through the building. Windows into the workspaces and labs invite curiosity and create a sense of awe, inviting students to explore and try something new. Corridors will exhibit displays evoking the wonder of biology, from DNA to majestic ecosystems. Plants will soften the hardscapes, and aquaria viewable through windows into classrooms will nurture a connection to nature. Artwork in the hallways will recognize current students and notable scientists who have overcome adversity. This openness, visible activity, and unlocking of the mysteries of science will create energy and invite curiosity. It will welcome newcomers to take part in the scientific process and reinforce the idea that science is not only for science majors — it is for everyone.
Students will experience the depth and breadth of a rigorous curriculum, including training on current instrumentation and protocols. This helps students prepare to thrive in scientific inquiry upon transferring to some of the world’s premier science programs at four-year universities. Likewise, training on current instrumentation and protocols creates opportunities for partnerships among students, faculty, and local businesses and organizations seeking specialized training for current and future employees. Whether students plan to transfer for further education or take their place immediately in local industries, the fundamentals of a robust science education coupled with a spirit of creativity afforded by the new Science Building will provide a transformational experience on their journeys toward rewarding careers in science.
And as science has provided our society with discoveries and innovations never dreamed of even at the turn of the century, we know that science will continue to progress in the future — the rate of change will not slow down. The new Science Building, state-of-the-art today, can remain so for generations because it was designed for adaptation and to be reconfigured to meet future needs.
Folsom Lake College Science faculty are highly educated, with advanced degrees from top research universities but, equally important, have real-world experience in their respective fields. They know first-hand that scientists must collaborate and communicate with those in other disciplines if they want their work to make an impact on the world.
Faculty choose Folsom Lake College because they are student-focused and love to teach. They can provide personalized mentoring because class sizes are small and both lectures and labs are taught by the same faculty member. The new Science Building with its student-centric design and equipment normally found only in four-year institutions, will help Folsom Lake College continue to attract top-notch faculty.
Interested in joining Folsom Lake College’s esteeming faculty, visit jobs.losrios.edu for the current full-time tenure-track and adjunct faculty postings.
Students (majors and non-majors) studying biology, chemistry, math, physics, astronomy, engineering, and health sciences, among others, will come together with faculty to innovate, collaborate, and learn. Faculty and staff engagement with student learning extends beyond the traditional classroom.
The Science Center will be located prominently at the building entrance and is slated to be the heart of the learning community. Students will access study materials and personalized academic support services from comprehensively trained tutors and mentors.
An important student resource dedicated to collaboration is the Innovation Center Makerspace. Through a combination of “Makerships,” short internships designed to introduce students to real-world work experiences, and a strong culture of experimentation, students can learn, create, and connect in collaborative ways. Guided by faculty and student staff, projects range from simple sculptures made on the laser cutter to the fermentation process (brewing beer) and are supported by an array of technology found in the workplace. An example of the types of impactful cross-collaboration that the Innovation Center provides is the ongoing partnership between the Innovation Center, the Geosciences Department, and the UC Davis Bodega Bay Marine Laboratory where students recently deployed a wind and wave data buoy to gather environmental data in Richardson Bay, a protected eel grass preserve near San Francisco. Students will use those data in a variety of ways, from sonification (i.e., creating music from data) to “big data” analysis as part of Folsom Lake College’s innovative Artificial Intelligence curriculum.
The college is also developing a MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) program. In the Fall 2022 semester, 1,468 students were in STEM-focused majors. Within these majors, 45% of the students were low-income, and 37% were either first-generation students or came from historically underrepresented racial or ethnic backgrounds. The MESA program will provide support to educationally and economically disadvantaged students in STEM. The ability of students succeed in STEM and to move quickly and efficiently through the education pipeline is crucial to address the science talent gap for local employers. The MESA program will be based out of the Science Center in the new facility.
The cost of the building was funded through state facility funding and generous taxpayer support through local Measure M bonds. Yet, these dollars cover only construction-related expenses and not the enhanced equipment necessary to make the facility state-of-the-art.
To bridge this gap, Folsom Lake College and the Los Rios Colleges Foundation are embarking on a campaign to bring together private support and sponsorships to pay for the transformational equipment and technology not typically available to community college students.
Once the Science Building is completed, the funds will support the renovation and expansion of the Innovation Center Makerspace to accommodate the increasing number of students interested in exploring new avenues of learning and expanding their cross-disciplinary skills and knowledge.
We invite you to partner with Folsom Lake College to create this bold investment in our community’s future that will bring significant dividends—to our students, to our region and to society.
Every donation to the campaign makes a meaningful, lasting difference to the future of STEM at Folsom Lake College, but more importantly, to our region. Your gift will help prepare the next generation of doctors, teachers, scientists, engineers, and tech industry leaders, who will live, work, and invest in this region. Only with the help of donors like you will we be able to offer the world-class education students deserve, while also meeting the needs of employers in high-tech, high-demand fields. There are many ways to give, and we can work together to help you make an impact, while also meeting your financial and philanthropic goals.
Gifts can be pledged for up to five years. Legacy gifts, such as charitable gift annuities, bequests, and other planned gifts are another way to help make this project a reality while meeting your long-term planning needs. Naming opportunities are available for donations of $5,000 or more, and all donations of $2,500 or more will be eligible for a commemorative plaque on the donor wall.
For more information, including naming opportunities, contact Kirsten DuBray, CFRE, Regional Director of Philanthropy at dubrayk@losrios.edu or (916) 484-8175.