Specifications include, but are not limited to: The project scope will involve the design, bid and construction for the renovation of Gerber Hall located on the campus of Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota; The Gerber Building is home to the Millicent Atkins School of Education. Renovation of interior spaces will result in collaborative and engaging teaching, learning and research space that is conducive to first-rate professional education training. Space within the building will be redesigned and include classrooms and lab areas that include a leading-edge education technology lab (EdTech lab) to facilitate active learning and avatar virtual simulation practice, a simulation lab for counselor education, an educational psychology lab to advance research in motivation and learning, flexible furniture, and adaptable common learning areas. The redesigned space will also elevate Northern’s unique E-Learning mission to expand access across and beyond the region. Gerber Hall currently houses Teacher Education, Sports Sciences, Psychology, and Counselor Education. Each department is focused on student-centric instruction that incorporates authentic, innovative strategies for training students to excel in the field of education. Presently, the building contains four classrooms that were designed for a traditional teacher-centered environment and the spaces are not conducive to preparing 21st century leaders in education. The EdTech lab, educational psychology lab, and counselor education simulation lab will foster undergraduate and faculty research in critical areas, including E-Learning, student motivation, assessing teaching methods, and improving counselor preparation.
