The Warrior Weekly

Lakehill Preparatory School's state-of-the-art LEED Silver Certified Alice and Erle Nye Family Environmental Science Center officially opens on September 10, 2009 with a Dedication Ceremony at 10:00 am.

The Alice and Erle Nye Family Environmental Science Center is dedicated to the study of the natural environment. The facility houses three laboratory classrooms as well as a Great Hall that will be used as a gathering space for the school community. With over 40 acres of untouched land to explore, Lakehill students will have the opportunity to experience nature in a pristine, untouched environment.

The programs of the Alice and Erle Nye Family Environmental Science Center are designed to inspire students to become stewards of the environment by building awareness, furthering understanding, and leading students to make environmentally sound decisions based on their expanded knowledge of the world in which we live.

Students in Lower and Middle School will visit the Alice and Erle Nye Family Environmental Science Center once every six weeks. A comprehensive scope and sequence has been developed for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The science curriculum for each grade is thematic and concepts introduced will be built upon from one year to the next. An AP Environmental Science course is available to Upper School students.

"From an academic standpoint, the new facility provides our students opportunities to focus directly on environmental issues and careers. In addition to our regular science curriculum, the Environmental Science Program provides a special up-close study of nature that provides tremendous opportunities for our students," explains Lara Gajkowski, Assistant Headmaster.

The Alice and Erle Nye Family Environmental Science Center was one of the first facilities in the city of Dallas to achieve LEED Silver certification. Though lengthy and arduous, the process to gain certification is a positive step that Lakehill has taken to secure our environment for future generations. "When building the Environmental Science Center, it only made sense to become LEED certified. We did not want to spoil the natural beauty of the site and the long-term cost efficiency of the design made it a natural choice," explains Lakehill Headmaster Roger L. Perry. "Good Fulton and Farrell did a wonderful job incorporating our vision into a working facility. It is a wonderful design and is truly a first-class facility," added Perry.

Set lightly in the natural landscape, the building adopts a number of strategies for connecting interior spaces with the world outside. The building is responsive to its environment, using many strategies to enhance its natural surroundings and reduce its impact on the environment.

The Alice and Erle Nye Family Environmental Science Center was honored in January 2009 at the United States Green Building Council North Texas Chapter's annual Member Extravaganza, an event dedicated to showcasing some of North Texas' finest sustainable building projects.

Lakehill Preparatory School is grateful for the ongoing generosity of the Nye family. Erle Nye served on the Lakehill Board of Directors, serving as Chairman for many years. He remains on the Lakehill's Advisory Board. Alice Nye served as a volunteer at Lakehill for many years and was a substitute teacher for the School. The Nye's five children graduated from Lakehill.

As longtime supporters of the Lakehill community, the Nyes were instrumental in the fundraising efforts for the Environmental Science Center, not only through their personal financial support but through their commitment to help raise the money needed. Explains Perry, "This world-class facility provides a lasting legacy that will benefit generations of Lakehill students for years to come. It is a great honor for us to dedicate this building in the name of the Alice and Erle Nye Family."