University of Maryland's New Weather Center Turns Heads
ByA U.S. weather and climate prediction center was opened formally Monday at University of Maryland, College Park.
The center is one of the largest earth science headquarters in the world and housed by the university within two miles from the campus.
In a ribbon-cutting ceremony which included Sen. Barbara Mikulski among other officials, 268,000-square-foot center was declared open at 2 p.m.
According to the university's student newspaper, The Diamondback, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Center for Weather and Climate Prediction is expected to play host to the largest concentration of earth scientists in the nation. Reportedly, about $76.5 million in federal funds were brought into build the structure.
The glass structure will hold more than 800 NOAA employees who moved from an obsolete facility in Camp Springs, in southern Prince George's County, to the new $100 million NOAA facility on the campus of M-Square, a university research park, Baltimore Sun reports.
The university releases says that due to the presence of the structure within the university land, will partner with the center to provide opportunities to students with researchers at the center.
In addition, the university approved a new undergraduate major in atmospheric and oceanic science in the spring, which will provide another avenue for students to access the weather center, said Robert Infantino, associate dean of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences College.
He also said that due to the proximity of the center, students will have direct access to scientists and will be able to better interact with the experts in the field.
But, the newly introduced major has attracted only fewer than 20 students. Because of the program's size, he said it may not initially draw in many freshmen, but Infantino hopes student interest will grow as opportunities do.
"What we will be able to do with the presence of the NOAA building is work together with our partners and really make a difference in the lives of people," said Jayanth Banavar, Dean of College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS).
"It provides our students with an opportunity to really interact with the best and the brightest of the world."
The building is not only a marvel with regard to its huge size, but also eco-friendly. The building contains sustainable features such as green roofs, daylight sensors, waterless urinals and an under-floor air distribution system.
The officials are reportedly seeking LEED Gold certification.