The
Center for Advanced Studies is housed in a 33,000
square foot facility designed especially for the
program. The facility is among the most technologically
advanced K-12 buildings in the nation. Included
are four state-of-the-art science labs equipped
for in-depth and technology-based instruction.
Three technology-based math classrooms allow the
natural integration between math and science.
Every
student in the facility has access to an array
of technological resources and each student station
is wired for access to the school's local area
network. Each classroom has ceiling mounted LCD
projectors which allow for the display of any
student or teacher workstation screen. The use
of the local Novell network allows students to
move their digital files to any other location
in the building, thus promoting cross-curricular
integration.
The
building also houses four state-of-the-art technology
and research labs that are utilized for special
high-tech offerings and for interdisciplinary
studies and research. Included is a distance learning
lab which allows the latest distance learning
technologies, including online courses, Virtual
High School courses, and video conferencing. All
Wheeler students have access to these technology
labs through various courses. A 2800 square foot
multi-use applied research lab is utilized for
a variety of Center curricular activities including
a special Magnet Foundations/Survey of Technology
course designed for all Center freshmen. The building
has been flexibly designed to allow the program
to remain on the cutting edge of technology and
research based instruction.
On
May 3, 2001, the magnet building was dedicated
in honor of the late Everett Coker. Mr. Coker,
who was a long time Wheeler math teacher and Georgia
Teacher of the Year in 1979, passed away unexpectedly
in December 1997. The Center for Advanced Studies
is now officially housed in the Coker building
