Hartnell College builds new science center

This fall Hartnell Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students will go from a more than 50-year-old science building to a brand new STEM Center.

“A lot of students are really excited to start taking classes here next semester,” said Hartnell marine biology student Olivia Arredondo.

The 54,000 square foot building is equipped with an enhanced planetarium, 21st century labs, lecture halls and technology.

“High tech equipment really supports making the education we provide here more relevant when the students get into the workforce,” said Shannon Bliss, Hartnell Dean of Math, Science and Engineering.

Arrendondo said the study areas are her favorite part of the new building.

“In STEM you really rely on team work in order to get through classes,” said Arrendondo. “So this allows for a much more collaborative space versus the old building which is small and kind of cramped.”

But the new center is more just bells and whistles. Officials said it will help fill the desperate need for better prepared STEM students in the Salinas Valley and beyond.

“Anywhere in the 21st century there is a need for quality engineers, quality biologist, and quality chemist,” said Bliss.

Along with agriculture, which on the Central Coast and other parts of the country is becoming more technical.

“For example they’re doing work with drones, GIS,” said Hartnell Geology Instructor Robert Barminski. “There’s all of the computer technology that are being applied to mapping.”

Students also believe the new STEM Center will help give them more of a completive edge when applying for these jobs in their hometown.

“By having everything updated you’re a little bit more on par with everyone else,” said Arrenodo.

STEM directors said they are still working out what they’ll do with the old science building.