The Meyer Science Center
The science building is a state-of-the-art facility with 128,000 square feet of offices, laboratories, research facilities, and classrooms. Completed in 2010 the building has been certified in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold standard. Meyer Science Center uses 25% less energy than the typical standard in its class which was achieved by installing an energy-recovery unit in the attic and implementing techniques such as sun shades on the south façade. 70% of the building’s energy is provided by green-e-certified renewable energy providers. Water use has also been reduced by 41% over the baseline case by installing water-efficient fixtures and using drought-tolerant, native plants in landscaping. The Environmental Science Department is located on the bottom floor alongside the Geology Department and includes an exploratory center, research labs, recently renovated computer labs, and an impressive array of environmental equipment.
Nearby Resources
The greater Chicago area is rich in opportunities for environmental service and study. Within an hour of Wheaton's campus are such resources as world-class Lincoln Park and Brookfield Zoos, the Shedd Aquarium, the Morton Arboretum, and the extensive Cook and DuPage County Forest Preserve system. Chicago's extensive urban environments also provide opportunities to study the sociological dimensions of environmental issues in urban settings. These facilities and settings provide close firsthand opportunities for study, research, and service to students who are citizens of the Wheaton Environmental Studies Program.