Mars STEAM Building Nearing Completion

The two-story, nearly 18,000-square-foot building was designed by architects Hord Coplan Macht and constructed by Coakley & Williams Construction (CWC). Bringing together 1,100 cubic yards of concrete, 250 pieces of steel, 700 sheets of drywall, and more materials, the building houses:

• three labs earmarked for biology, chemistry, and physics; 
• a dark room outfitted with both dry labs and wet labs for instruction of modern digital photography and film; 
• An over 1,700 square foot garden outfitted with an outdoor blackboard and composting bins with direct access to the biology lab.
• two STEM classrooms; 
• a construction shop with heavy machinery for engineering projects and a finishing shop with a painting spray booth and an electric drying cabinet to put the final touches on projects;
• backstage storage that ties into the construction and finishing shops, providing scene support for future performing arts productions;
• and student spaces intended to foster collaboration and concentration. 

Adjacent to the building, extensive sitework was done to add a new parking area next to Miss Charlotte’s Garden. With over 70 spaces and improved handicap access into the Garden, this lot will serve the community well, including students, faculty and staff, and visitors.

“It's a gorgeous space,” reflected Head of School Dr. Lisa Kaenzig, “and it was given by many, many people, but primarily by the four Mars alumnae who believe in the power of education around STEAM for girls, and why it matters." In January 2023, Foxcroft announced the multi-generational gift of $22 million from sisters Victoria Beth Mars ’74 and Pamela Mars Wright ’78, and their daughters Bernadette Schuetz Russell ’03 and Charlotte Audrey Rossetter ’12, which brought to life the vision of the STEAM Building that will allow girls to develop the skills to excel in STEAM subjects. 

"I'm grateful to them for allowing us to put their names on the outside of the building, right by the door," continued Dr. Kaenzig, "so that as girls walk in, they can see that legacy of philanthropy, from these women and so many others, and how much faith they have in them and their abilities.”