Bethel Celebrates the “Grand (re)Opening of the Science Spaces”

Faculty in Bethel’s STEM programs hosted an open house to welcome alumni back to campus for a night of interactive exploration, innovation, and fellowship in the newly built and renovated science spaces.

By Katie Johnson ’19, content specialist

September 20, 2021 | 2:30 p.m.

There was something for everyone at Bethel's Grand (re)Opening of the Science Spaces last Wednesday.

If you had wandered into the Barnes Academic Center on Wednesday, September 15, you would’ve been greeted by a host of faculty members across all scientific disciplines during the Grand (re)Opening of the Science Spaces. You would’ve connected with alumni from Bethel’s STEM programs, including chemistry, physics and engineering, biology, psychology, and math and computer science. You would’ve toured the Nelson Larson Science Center and the recently renovated physics and engineering labs, while also hearing about plans to enhance the additional labs in biology and neuroscience. You would’ve talked to faculty members and students about their current research, and might’ve even interacted with their projects for yourself.

Along with tours of the science spaces at Bethel, the open house offered a number of interactive stations to demonstrate current department research. For instance, Professor of Chemistry Wade Neiwert showed how to make liquid nitrogen ice cream—perfect to pair with the “raspberry pi” demonstration and raspberry treats at Professors Carl Albing, Bill Kinney, and Tanner Auch’s math and computer science station. Professors of Biological Sciences Amy Dykstra and Teresa Degolier brought visitors to Bethel’s green roof, while Jeff Port and Ken Petersen, professors and co-chairs of biological sciences, used department spotting scopes to help others observe campus birds. Professor of Physics Julie Hogan highlighted her students’ summer research on particle physics through a LEGO brick model. Professor of Biological Sciences Melissa Cordes and Professor of Psychology Rachel Anderson showed how cockroaches implanted with electrodes can be driven with a smartphone application in their neuroscience station.

And while these stations cover roughly half of the ones offered during the Grand (re)Opening of the Science Spaces, what made this night truly unforgettable was the ability to safely come together to celebrate the sciences at Bethel. Due to the pandemic, there hasn’t been a great opportunity to welcome alumni back to Bethel to see the new spaces or commune with fellow alumni and faculty members. With current COVID-19 guidelines in place, science faculty and Bethel community members were eager to invite alumni and their families to experience the spaces for themselves.

“We think of our physics and engineering students as being part of our family,” says Professor of Physics and Engineering Brian Beecken. “The Sciences Open House was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with students who are now alumni, and to share with them the exciting new developments at Bethel in terms of new science labs, new engineering majors, and new opportunities.”

Here's an overview of what the evening of fellowship and exploration meant to Bethel faculty members in the sciences.

Bethel science students and faculty hosted interactive stations so visitors could experience hands-on learning for themselves.

“I am excited to show our alumni the new environmental science labs, and also the green roof. Both of these spaces demonstrate Bethel's commitment and ongoing efforts to educate students about environmental stewardship and Creation care.”

— Amy Dykstra, professor of biological sciences

One of the stations offered liquid nitrogen ice cream, which paired well with the "raspberry pi" demo hosted by math and computer science faculty.

“I love showing members of the Bethel family and prospective students this science space. It creates such a wonderful and positive learning environment."

— James Christenson, professor of chemistry

“Together, we're celebrating the blessing of science facilities that will attract students and support the quality of teaching and learning we do at Bethel,” says Professor of Chemistry Rollin King.

“I’m excited for people to see what is possible here. The professors here do high level research, and students are part of everything we do—our labs are built around their learning. The neuroscience lab is one that has not yet been renovated, and I can’t wait until the reality that we see in the new science labs can be seen there as well.”

— Melissa Cordes, professor of biological sciences

Faculty members and current Bethel students enjoyed connecting with alumni and their families after the last year apart.

“The spacious and fully-equipped physics and engineering laboratories enhance learning in our upper-level lab courses. The classroom and lab components of these courses, which previously might have been taught in different rooms, can now be combined as an integrated learning experience.”

— Keith Stein, professor of physics

Last Wednesday marked a night to remember for the STEM programs at Bethel University.

“For me the new science space is exciting because it shows how Bethel values the natural sciences as one method of exploring God's work in our world. I ended up choosing not to attend any of the Christian colleges that I knew about in high school because none of them offered a strong physics program, so I'm very proud that Bethel's investment in science shows today's students that they have that opportunity.”

— Julie Hogan, professor of physics

There's more on the horizon.

While the first three phases of the Called to More campaign’s sciences, healthcare, and engineering project are fully funded, two critical phases still require funding to help prepare students for the cutting-edge jobs of the future. You can help Bethel students fulfill their call to do and be more.

Learn more