A community staple in Findlay is growing that helps create a new opportunity for visitors to learn and enhance vital STEM skills.
A new 4,000 square foot extension will soon be built on the Virginia B Gardener Fine Arts Pavilion at the University of Findlay.
It will be the new home of the Joseph and Judith Conda STEAM Education Center, named after the primary donors.
The Condas, along with UF, Findlay City Schools and other officials were on hand for the groundbreaking.
The new $1.5 million center will host Mazza museum visitors and students from local school districts, and engage them in various science pursuits.
"So that students of all ages, primarily middle school and high school students along with college students and professors, can see how science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics work together," said UF president Katherine Fell.
The center will be a large addition to the offering of the Mazza Museum, which hosts the original artwork of children's books.
The new education center will mix the sciences with art, creating an understanding on how to blend creativity with invention.
"So that is the unique part of it in the sense that art truly is the foundation of almost everything. And we can reflect that in the art that's being shared in picture books today," said Ben Sapp, Mazza Museum director.
The goal is to have construction completed in late winter, so that classes can then begin being held inside the new STEAM education center by next spring.
