Step inside the Crocker Science Center. A marvel of modern science nestled within a historic shell. This isn’t just any building. This is the heart of the University of Utah’s College of Science a place where groundbreaking research thrives.
Originally built in 1933 as the George Thomas Building it served as a library. Later it became home to the Natural History Museum of Utah from 1968 to 2011. Imagine the stories these walls could tell. The whispers of countless students researchers and professors who walked these halls.
A ten-million-dollar donation from Gary and Ann Crocker transformed this historic building. In 2018 the Crocker Science Center opened its doors. A modern science hub ready to serve new generations. The renovation was extensive. It included a seismic upgrade crucial in a region prone to earthquakes.
The design is ingenious. Glass walls create a living exhibit. Modern science on display for all to see. Two Creek Coffee on the second floor provides a popular spot for students to grab a coffee. Or to find a quiet place to study.
During the renovation workers unearthed human skeletal remains. Scientists determined they were artifacts from the University of Utah School of Medicine. These bones are now part of the Department of Anthropology’s teaching collection.
The centerpiece of the atrium is a mobile art piece. Called Life of Tree it was designed by Bill Washabaugh. Inspired by the biological Tree of Life it depicts a Pinyon Pine reflected in water. This symbolizes the reflection of scientific theories in reality. It’s also solar-powered.
The Crocker Science Center isn’t just about cutting-edge research. It celebrates history too. Dinosaur heads in the Ririe Room are a reminder of its past as a natural history museum. Exposed structural elements are labeled with diagrams. Serving as learning exhibits for students interested in structural engineering.
A high-resolution cryo-TEM microscope is a focal point of research. Allowing researchers to image biomolecules with atomic resolution. This provides valuable insights into biological functions in humans. The Crocker Science Center also houses the Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Science. The Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy and the U’s Center for Science and Math Education.
In 2022 the Applied Science Project was announced. This will add a new structure to create the Crocker Science Complex. It will be home to the Departments of Physics and Astronomy and Atmospheric Sciences. It will also house the expanded Wilkes Center.
The Crocker Science Center is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration innovation and the pursuit of knowledge. It’s a vibrant hub where history and future meet. A place where scientific discovery flourishes. A place where the pursuit of knowledge continues.