On Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 24, Augusta Preparatory Day School hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction progress of a new science building.
After almost a year of announcing the project, the school is now starting construction of its new state-of-the-art sciences and engineering building – the W. Rodger Giles Institute for Inquiry.
Derrick Willard, the 13th head of school at Augusta Prep, began the ceremony by acknowledging how current students are graduating in the midst of the “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” which is characterized by high-speed Internet, artificial intelligence, advanced space technology, robotic automation, 3D printing and strong data analytics.
“Since our founding 62 years ago, Augusta Prep has provided an excellent education designed to inspire students, and equip them for college and career success,” said Willard. “We remain passionate today about teaching kids how to think, not what to think. As we live our mission in the present, we are mindful that we are called to prepare our students for their future.”
To compete with modern challenges and workplace expectations, Willard said the school felt it was necessary to develop a new facility that they hope to see developed in the next 12 months. After collaboration between student focus groups, science and technology teachers and talented architects, he shared with audiences the vision for the new institute.
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“This will be the arena in which our students sharpen their skills for college and the workplace – design thinking, prototyping, problem solving, programming, and presenting their novel concepts and innovative creations,” he said. “We are so proud of this facility and the programming it will host for our students.”
Thomas Burnside, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Augusta Prep and graduate of Class of 1984, said the new building was well overdue for students, and how he hoped to see it flourish as a new tool for STEM education in the CSRA.
“Once completed, this sciences and engineering facility will be one of a kind in the Augusta area, and not only host traditional science education, – like biology, chemistry, physics – but expand our technological sciences – like coding, robotics, engineering – as well as venture into more futuristic science learning tools using 3D printers and virtual reality headsets,” he said. “We are so proud to deliver this new teaching tool to our teachers. It will set a new standard for STEM education in the CSRA.”
Clay Boardman, Augusta Prep benefactor and graduate of Class of 1977, said he believed the new comprehensive facility would set a new science education standard for the city and region.
“I see this facility, and what it embodies, linked to the continued growth of the Augusta area which is now driven by medical, cyber, tech and manufacturing industries. We need to develop home grown physicians, software developers, engineers and scientists to drive this growth,” said Boardman. “As Augusta continues to draw leadership talent to the area for these industries, we need to continue to provide exceptional educational opportunities for their families.”
Boardman explained how the building’s namesake, Rodger Giles, wanted his estate to provide better opportunities for the children of the Augusta area, and how his generosity had led to a wonderful school addition.
“Were [Giles] alive today, I know he would be astonished by and proud of what his lead gift has made possible,” he said.
Director of Development Pam Weinberger said Augusta Prep owed thanks to over 200 supporters, each of whom charitably donated to ensure a top quality facility. Weinberger said, over the last 18 months, $9.3 million has been raised through several local businesses, partners, board members and parents, and just under $2 million was still needed to fundraise.
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“Your gift can equip Augusta Prep with the one facility it needs to help students thrive for our next 60 years,” she said. “Your gift can launch our students into their future by launching their curiosity, their creativity, and their growth.”
Weinberger said she believed the ceremony to be a “pivotal moment” in Augusta Prep’s history, and was excited to help launch the future of students, teachers and the Augusta area.
“We look forward to inviting you back to our ribbon cutting for a tour of this amazing facility in about a year,” she said.
With a prior career as a science teacher, Willard said he thinks the additional institution will open a new chapter for the next several decades of students, and will assist in propelling the school’s ideals to interest students in STEM topics at an earlier age.
“I think education at all levels should grab kids’ attention early,” he said. “We need to put these tools in their young hands, and stay focused on the long game which is getting them ready for their future.”
With some students currently building electric powered carts for competitions, Willard said he hopes to expand engineering even further by adding on a “garage-like facility” to accommodate those interests.
By investing in a virtual reality lab as well, Willard said 2D subjects will come to life for students, and become even more captivating.
“It’s not going to replace physical learning,” he said. “But, for instance, anatomy out of a book is a two-dimensional experience, while anatomy in a virtual reality headset is a three-dimensional experience – that’s really what it is. We see that as a unique tool to enhance learning; not only in the sciences, but also in the humanities.”
After the ceremony, Willard shared how the staff, school community and board members are all extremely excited for the facility’s progress. Construction is currently on schedule to be done in early January of 2024.
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With the institute being built for all Augusta Prep school levels in mind, Willard said he was most looking forward to open student collaboration and study spaces in the facility, which he believes will encourage a stronger school community.
“As our students get older, we give our students more freedom to get work done in those spaces,” he said. “So, the educational and community aspects are both exciting to me.”
For more information on the future W. Rodger Giles Institute for Inquiry, visit: https://www.augustaprep.org/head-of-school-news-detail?pk=943581
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
