Annual Report 2011-2012.pdf - School of Physics - University of ...

Laby IDEAS Centre
A new Learning Centre
for the School of Physics
On October 18 2012, the School of Physics
opened the Laby IDEAS Centre for
undergraduate students who will use the
facility to Interact, Discuss, Explore, and
Analyse Scientific ideas.
The centre was named in recognition of the
strong connection between the University
and the legacy of Professor Thomas Laby
(1880-1946) and his family.
It consists of three zones designed to meet different learning needs: an informal
area with couches, discussion and meeting areas, and computer labs.
The Provost Professor Margaret Sheil (below) officially opened the space on 18
October.
Faculty of Science Dean Professor Robert Saint said the new centre, with its
flexible mix of study, discussion and computer spaces would provide a great space
for undergraduate students to work and interact.
“It is a great space, befitting the highly talented students we attract to our physics
courses,” he said.
Head of the School of Physics Professor David Jamieson explained how the space
developed from the legacy of the Laby family.
“Continuing the long involvement of the Laby family in the history of the School of
Physics, including the Laby lecture theatre, the Laby Foundation made a generous
bequest to create the Laby IDEAS Centre,” he said.
“Judging by the crowds and the impassioned speech from student representative
Jasmine Hughes at the opening, the new centre is a great success.”
Third-year Physics student Jasmine Hughes said the new space would be more
than a comfortable study space and meeting place for physics students.
“The new centre will serve a different purpose for every physics student who
enters it. It’s not just a study area or classroom, but a home for those who love
physics,” she said.
The centre is part of a multi-tier redevelopment of the David Caro building, which
also includes new spaces for the University’s new Australian Research Council
Centres of Excellence in Physics at the Terascale and All-sky Astrophysics.
Laby Foundation Trustees: David Jamieson, David Hughes,
Peter Watmuff and family friend & representative of the
Laby family Diana Cerini
I nteract
d iscuss
e xplore
a nalyse
scientific
ideas