Stop 3: Natural Science Facilities
The $2.6 million Pritzker Marine Biological Research Center was built in 2001 with funds from Jack and Rhoda Pritzker, a grant from the National Science Foundation, matching state funds, and gifts-in-kind from the Uniroyal Technological Group. The building measures approximately 10,000 square feet, and features seven student and faculty research laboratories, classrooms and office space for New College's marine biology program.
The Pritzker Center houses more than 90 aquaria, anchored by a 12,000 gallon research and display tank and six large aquariums. We have sea tables to handle and observe small marine organisms, and a stereomicroscope with pixel shift technology to produce high resolution images. We even have a full-time aquarist responsible for design and upkeep of our aquaria, who serves as a resource to help students with husbandry questions.
Under the building, there is an additional 10,000 square feet used for quarantine, equipment storage, and a system that supplies seawater to the facility's aquaria and labs. The two white silos flanking the staircase hold our 20,000 gallon seawater supply. This water is pumped from the bay every few months, filtered, ozonated, and then continuously circulated throughout the building. Aquaria effluent is returned to the bay through a unique constructed wetland in front of the building that acts as a natural filtration system, turning gray water into bay water.
The wetland was built as a senior thesis project, and leads to our “Living Ecosystems and Teaching Aquarium” used for the Marine Lab Outreach Program. Each tank in the Living Ecosystem Teaching and Research Aquarium features a different captive ecosystem, several with a camera to send images to a streaming video server. We believe that our facility should be a place for all ages to enjoy and explore touch tanks, microscopes, lab experience and more. We show films, host guest speakers, conduct research presentations and teach students, capturing through community education the essence of South Florida Waters.
The Pritzker Center houses more than 90 aquaria, anchored by a 12,000 gallon research and display tank and six large aquariums. We have sea tables to handle and observe small marine organisms, and a stereomicroscope with pixel shift technology to produce high resolution images. We even have a full-time aquarist responsible for design and upkeep of our aquaria, who serves as a resource to help students with husbandry questions.
Under the building, there is an additional 10,000 square feet used for quarantine, equipment storage, and a system that supplies seawater to the facility's aquaria and labs. The two white silos flanking the staircase hold our 20,000 gallon seawater supply. This water is pumped from the bay every few months, filtered, ozonated, and then continuously circulated throughout the building. Aquaria effluent is returned to the bay through a unique constructed wetland in front of the building that acts as a natural filtration system, turning gray water into bay water.
The wetland was built as a senior thesis project, and leads to our “Living Ecosystems and Teaching Aquarium” used for the Marine Lab Outreach Program. Each tank in the Living Ecosystem Teaching and Research Aquarium features a different captive ecosystem, several with a camera to send images to a streaming video server. We believe that our facility should be a place for all ages to enjoy and explore touch tanks, microscopes, lab experience and more. We show films, host guest speakers, conduct research presentations and teach students, capturing through community education the essence of South Florida Waters.
Stop 1: Historic Mansions
Stop 2: Campus & Facilities
Stop 3: Natural Science Facilities
Stop 4: Recreation
Stop 5: Housing Stop 6: Music & Fine Arts Stop 7: Library Stop 8: Classrooms
Stop 9: Sarasota-Bradenton Stop 10: Student Life Stop 11: Dining Return to Campus Tour >>
Stop 5: Housing Stop 6: Music & Fine Arts Stop 7: Library Stop 8: Classrooms
Stop 9: Sarasota-Bradenton Stop 10: Student Life Stop 11: Dining Return to Campus Tour >>
