GATES SCIENCE BUILDING

Philip William Hickey
 
In 1961, the Gates Science Building opened its doors to our science classes, among other disciplines. The Gates Foundation donated $220,200 so that children “at last had a laboratory and space for students to work. From the earliest days at 30 Birch Street, children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gates were a part of the Graland family; grandchildren also have attended the school.”

In 1979 after spending three years in the Upper School Building, I moved to the Gates, a building I shall always think of as my home. There are no rooms, no building, as important to my career at Graland than that building. I taught there with Ruth Gorham-- she was my mentor and my friend. I idolized her. Also, I taught some of the best and brightest of Graland students in that building; I taught in every single room in that building, even the shop. Don't ask about my experience in the shop. 

My upstairs room/s had twelve windows, six of which opened. On a windy, sunny day the room was a gift from the gods. I came to school on the weekends just to hang out in my room.

For those of you are new to the school, the Anschutz Commons replaced the Gates Science Building. I miss the smell of the embalmed fetal pigs during the infamous dissection unit of these critters -- a wild combination of talcum powder and formaldehyde. Those were the days, my friends.
 
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Graland Country Day School

Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.