Winston 001

The renovation of Winston Hall 001 created a world-class combination lecture/laboratory teaching space for microscopy education from an outdated faculty research laboratory.  A departmental space study determined that dedicated microscopy teaching space was an urgent need.

This new active learning space was designed to be an integrated lecture and laboratory science classroom focusing on teaching and learning with microscopes, allowing students to transition between science theory and practice in one space. This renovation allows Wake Forest undergraduates to do more than merely read about microscopy-based scientific studies; this space supports hands-on investigation and analysis of their own data.

Dimmable lighting, microscopes, scientific grade digital cameras, and wireless tablet control devices outfit custom-designed student workstations. Specialized technology allows visualization of student microscope images as well as instructor materials on monitors throughout the room. The space’s design is also careful to preserve sufficient working and walking space to move about the room.

The renovation of Winston Hall 001 was a collaborative effort in 2018 between the WFU Department of Biology, the Learning Spaces Committee, Teaching and Learning Collaborative, Facilities, and Information Systems. An expansive search of US institutions (as of 2018) revealed only two schools have a dedicated fluorescent microscopy teaching space. This renovated space is expected to impact at least 14 courses and over 500 students each year across multiple departments.

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