Top-notch laboratories in works for University of Montana-Helena College of Technology. Part of a $7.5 million campus expansion and renovation

Dean wants best science teaching lab in state

When Robin Shropshire started teaching science at the University of Montana-Helena College of Technology, the students couldn’t even boil water.

Not because they didn’t know how, but because the hot plates couldn’t muster up enough power.

Amenities have since improved for the school’s two-person science faculty.

And they’re expected to take a big leap forward in April, 2007, when construction of a new, state-of-the-art lab facility is scheduled for completion.

UM-Helena Dean Daniel Bingham said staff performs “miracles” with what they have now. But he wants to have the best science teaching lab in the state.

“We’ve gone over them (the plans) with a finetooth comb to make sure they meet the needs of our students,” he said.

The top-notch laboratories are part of a $7.5 million campus expansion and renovation. Science classes will move from the school’s Airport Campus to the Donaldson Campus, which lies behind Helena High School.

By Jason Mohr – IR Staff Writer

Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2005/10/16/helena_top/f01101605_01.txt