Augusta Prep holds groundbreaking ceremony for state-of-the-art W. Rodger Giles Institute for Inquiry
Augusta Prep held an official groundbreaking ceremony for the $11 million W. Rodger Giles Institute for Inquiry on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
The W. Rodger Giles Institute for Inquiry, scheduled to open in 2024, will be one of a kind in the Augusta area. It is being constructed as a unique future-facing sciences and engineering building that prepares students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is being driven by high-speed Internet, cloud technology, artificial intelligence, automation, 3D printing, and big data analytics, along with the workplaces of the future.
This new two-story facility will be the arena in which Augusta Prep students sharpen their skills for college and the workplace - design thinking, prototyping, problem solving, programming, and presenting their novel concepts and innovative creations. This facility will not only host traditional science education (biology, chemistry, physics), but expand Prep’s technological sciences (coding, robotics, engineering) as well as venture into the more futuristic science learning tools using digital fabrication (3D printing) and augmented/virtual reality. These tools, like virtual reality devices or 3D printers, will be available for use by all Prep teachers and students, not just those enrolled in required or elective science courses.
Augusta Prep Head of School Derrick Willard opened the ceremony, welcoming everyone, including special guests and partners like:
Willard discussed the importance of the Giles Institute and why it is being built. He discussed Augusta Prep students graduating this spring in the midst of the “4th Industrial Revolution,” which is driven by high-speed Internet, cloud technology, data analytics, robotic automation, and artificial intelligence.
"In response to current and future challenges, we have developed a vision for a unique future-facing sciences and engineering building that prepares students for the workplaces of the future," he said. "The amazing structure you will see materialize in the next 12 months is the collaboration of student focus groups, science and technology teachers, and two talented architects. This will be the arena in which our students sharpen their skills for college and the workplace--design thinking, prototyping, problem solving, programming, and presenting their novel concepts and innovative creations. We are so proud of this facility and the programming it will host for our students."
Augusta Prep chairman of the Board of Trustees and alum, Thomas Burnside, added:
Augusta Prep Head of School Derrick Willard opened the ceremony, welcoming everyone, including special guests and partners like:
- Jack Hall, our 9th Head of School, who hosted groundbreaking events for the Hull Fine Arts Center and the Boardman Athletic Center.
- Robert Osborne, our current Capital Campaign Chairman, former Board Chairman, and Alumni Parent
- 180Studio architect Trung Le on the original concept
- Nick Dickinson Jr., architect on the final plans
- Scott Clark CEO RW Allen and crew for construction
- Mike Thomas and team from Alison South for marketing
- Will Godwin of South State Bank for financing
Willard discussed the importance of the Giles Institute and why it is being built. He discussed Augusta Prep students graduating this spring in the midst of the “4th Industrial Revolution,” which is driven by high-speed Internet, cloud technology, data analytics, robotic automation, and artificial intelligence.
"In response to current and future challenges, we have developed a vision for a unique future-facing sciences and engineering building that prepares students for the workplaces of the future," he said. "The amazing structure you will see materialize in the next 12 months is the collaboration of student focus groups, science and technology teachers, and two talented architects. This will be the arena in which our students sharpen their skills for college and the workplace--design thinking, prototyping, problem solving, programming, and presenting their novel concepts and innovative creations. We are so proud of this facility and the programming it will host for our students."
Augusta Prep chairman of the Board of Trustees and alum, Thomas Burnside, added:
"Augusta Prep has gifted science and technology teachers, but they are currently working in small and old classrooms and labs built in the 20th Century–spaces that have not changed since I was a student. Fortunately, the programming has changed since I was a student here almost forty years ago! Talented APDS teachers have added coding, robotics, engineering, and cybersecurity classes and competitions for our students since my time at Prep.
"Once completed, this sciences and engineering facility will be one of a kind in the Augusta area and not only host traditional science education (like biology, chemistry, physics), but expand our technological sciences (like coding, robotics, engineering) as well as venture into more futuristic science learning tools using 3D printers and virtual reality headsets. We are so proud to deliver this new teaching tool to our teachers. It will set a new standard for STEM education in the CSRA."
"Once completed, this sciences and engineering facility will be one of a kind in the Augusta area and not only host traditional science education (like biology, chemistry, physics), but expand our technological sciences (like coding, robotics, engineering) as well as venture into more futuristic science learning tools using 3D printers and virtual reality headsets. We are so proud to deliver this new teaching tool to our teachers. It will set a new standard for STEM education in the CSRA."
Augusta Prep benefactor, Clay Boardman, Class of 1977, made a few remarks about the importance of this project to the local community.
"There are many fine private schools in the state of Georgia but none have developed a comprehensive sciences facility of this design," he said. "Furthermore, I see this facility, and what it embodies, linked to the continued growth of the Augusta area which is now driven by medical, cyber/tech, and manufacturing industries. We need to develop home grown physicians, software developers, engineers, and scientists to drive this growth. As Augusta continues to draw leadership talent to the area for these industries, we need to continue to provide exceptional educational opportunities for their families.
"Rodger Giles, for whom this facility is named, wanted his estate to provide better opportunities for the children of the Augusta area. Were he alive today I know he would be astonished by and proud of what his lead gift has made possible."
Augusta Preparatory Day School
Augusta Preparatory Day School is an independent, college preparatory school serving children ages 2 through Grade 12 from the greater Augusta-Aiken area. Augusta Prep seeks to enroll a group of diverse students. We follow an open admission policy, whereby qualified candidates are admitted without regard to religion, race, nationality, economic background, or ethnic origin.
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