By Timothy Bold
The Scene staff
Many people have no idea that Forest Park has a greenhouse.
It’s in Room 410 on the fourth floor of C Tower, between the biology department office and prep room.
“The name is just ‘The Greenhouse,’” said Angela NewMyer, associate biology professor, who runs the facility.
The greenhouse measures 15 by 24 feet with a sloping glass ceiling. A giant shade goes up and down with the press of a button. Against one wall is a “swamp cooler” (evaporated air cooler) that produces humidity.
The greenhouse is being used as a laboratory for biology students who are growing vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and green beans; flowers such as calla lilies and daisies; and carnivorous plants that stop gnats and other bugs from eating the other plants.
“Having this place saves the college money, not buying from distributors and becoming self-reliant, producing our own,” NewMyer said.
“Investing in the greenhouse in the long run is going to benefit the department and the Brown Bag Cafe,” she added.
NewMyer was referring to an STLCC program that provides food to needy students.
A greenhouse is a room or structure made of transparent materials that keeps air and plants at a regulated temperature.
Forest Park had a greenhouse before in the same spot. But it closed in the early ’90s and became a study hall.
Three years ago, Forest Park added biology as one of its science majors. The greenhouse was designed to give students in its two classes, Biology 140 and 141, a place to do independent research and hands-on experiments with live specimens and samples.
“It’s beneficial to have areas to do research,” said Teresa Alvarez, biology department chair.
Workers began renovations on the greenhouse last year, and it reopened in March.
The project was funded by a $5.2 million state grant that also paid for science-lab renovations on other St. Louis Community College campuses.
“Eventually, we’re going to start seedlings (in the Forest Park greenhouse) and start transporting them outside,” Alvarez said. “We’re hoping to get some garden space once the health center is complete.”
She was referring to the new Nursing and Health Sciences Center, which is under construction and expected to open next spring on the Forest Park campus.