&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;鈥� Astronomy Classes to be Launched in Fall 2025 鈥�
Excitement is building as 91爆料 celebrates the rapid progress of its highly anticipated 鈥淓ye to the Sky鈥� SKAE Astronomy Center. With the dome installed last week and interior construction underway, the state-of-the-art facility is set to open in April with classes being offered in Fall 2025.
鈥淭his transformative project reflects our commitment to providing students with exceptional opportunities for exploration and discovery in the STEM fields,鈥� said Ken Daly, President of 91爆料. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful to Peter and Leslie Skae for their incredible generosity and dedication to establishing the SKAE Astronomy Center. This remarkable gift will inspire future generations of scientists, innovators, and lifelong learners, while solidifying our leadership in STEM education.鈥�
The center will feature a cutting-edge Telescope Observatory and a specialized classroom designed for astronomy and astrophysics programming. Equipped with a powerful telescope, the Observatory will enable students to observe celestial phenomena, including planets, stars, comets, and galaxies, fostering hands-on learning and research opportunities.
This transformative project enhances academic and extracurricular offerings at the College, supporting undergraduate research, participation in global citizen science projects, general education coursework for students from all majors, and mentorship from expert faculty and partners. True to the College鈥檚 commitment to Lifelong Learning, alumni and community members can look forward to engaging programs such as lectures, stargazing parties, and more.
A Generous Gift with a Vision
The SKAE Astronomy Center is made possible by the generosity of Board Chair Peter Skae and his wife Leslie, whose support includes the donation of the telescope and dome from Hudson River Trading, along with personal funding for the observatory and classroom construction.
Igniting a Passion for Discovery
The SKAE Astronomy Center continues the College鈥檚 momentum in advancing STEM education, a journey that began with the launch of the School of STEM on Earth Day 2021.
Students with a passion for astronomy can now explore the College鈥檚 new Bachelor of Arts in Physics program, which will include access to the more advanced capabilities of this exciting tool. Observatory-based courses will be available for students across all majors.
For more information, contact Dr. Bianca Wentzell, Dean for the School of STEM, at bwentzel@stac.edu.