Gov. Kay Ivey attended the June 14 dedication ceremony for the historic E.O. Wilson Science Research Center at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science.

The 32,000-square-foot facility, the first of its kind in the state, is named for Dr. Edward O. Wilson, a Mobile native known as the “Father of Biodiversity. ” The facility is designed to support advanced STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) research and the ASMS Research Fellows program, in which students are paired with faculty mentors to work on college-level research projects.

“This is truly a special place and a crown jewel of STEM public education in Alabama and the Southeast,” Ivey said. “When I was a young Mobile banker, this campus was one of the largest churches in the state. Today, it is the most spectacular site of high-tech education for Alabama high school students.”

Ivey expressed her gratitude to Ann Bedsall, who founded the school, and the late Congressman Steve McMillian, who worked hard to make ASMS a reality.

“They have planted the seeds that will create life-changing futures for 3,000 young Alabama people,” Ivey said. “The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science stands out as a key part of school choice and a key part of workforce development and retention. I am proud to have secured funding for the Wilson Science Research Center and pleased to have played a role in improving the science skills of Alabama School of Mathematics and Science students.”

Added State Rep. Alan Baker, ASMS's education committee appointee, “ASMS graduates will become knowledgeable professionals and leaders in their fields. This building is a transformative investment for our state.”

The science research center will feature laboratories, state-of-the-art research equipment, improved classrooms, innovative technology and collaborative spaces. The state provided $6 million in seed funding and New Markets Tax Credits for the $15 million project.

“This is a benefit to our students and the state of Alabama,” said ASMS President Dr. John Hoyle. “We were in a small building and made the most of it. Our teachers clamored for a new building and wanted a space where they could work with their students. We also hope to attract people from outside the school, including Dauphin Island Marine Laboratory, the University of South Alabama and universities around the state.”

“The students are excited. I don't think there are many high school students who would take the summer off school and come to a ribbon-cutting ceremony without doing anything.”

Yunseo Ha, a fourth-year ASMS student, is enthusiastic about the new service.

“I'm especially excited about the research facilities, and the biochemistry lab,” Ha said. “I think that space will help students do their own research. It will be a way to help students further their specific interests.”

Ha, who plans to attend a university with a particular strength in electrical engineering, said she hopes the E.O. Wilson Center will help her achieve her goal.

“I hope to learn what it takes to create tools for other scientists,” she said. “I think the goal of this research is to contribute to the community and gain new knowledge for discovery and the humanities, and then use that knowledge to create new innovations that can ultimately contribute to the community.”

This story was originally Call News.