Toorak College – one of our partner schools in Mount Eliza, Melbourne – maintains a commitment to ensuring that their students thrive in a world full of challenges. To achieve this, the school needed new leading-edge programs, collaborative facilities and first-class resources. With this vision and the school’s continued educational excellence in mind, the new Science and Technology Centre was born.
The aim of of the building’s new leading edge laboratories and flexible learning spaces was to enable spontaneous collaboration and innovation across scientific disciplines, encouraging every student to step beyond their level of comfort.
Vision One Technologies were appointed to deliver oustanding audio, visual and technology experiences in each space, to perfectly compliment the directive and dedication to an ever-evolving school curriculum.
Biology and Chemistry Superlabs
The superlabs (4x classrooms in total) are immersive, fully-integrated, touch control-powered audio and visual spaces that operate both independently and in unison. Each lab was fitted with the following bill of materials:
- 4x LG 55″ Semi-Commercial Display Panels mounted on either side of the main science bench
- 1x Epson EB-2265U 5,500 ANSI Lumens WUXGA Projector, projecting on the concertina whiteboard wall
- 9x Flush-Mounted Ceiling Speakers
- 1x Kramer VIA GO Wireless Presentation Device
- 1x Ceiling-Mounted PTZ Optics PTZ Camera, mounted above the science bench to capture practical demonstrations
- 1x Kramer 7″ Touch Screen Control Tablet
Kramer’s world-renowned control system was used as the “brains” of each lab, offering a bespoke-built functionality that included “single-lab” system operation, “dual-lab” system operation, the ability to instantly change each projector and/or each display to any input (HDMI wall plates or Kramer VIA GO Wireless) and the ability to instantly select the audio source/attenuate the global volume levels.
The Science and Technology Centre will be a welcoming environment that will allow students to transform spaces to suit the needs of the learning experience.
Common Lab
Building on the foundations set in the school’s existing classroom spaces, we fitted the Common Lab with an Epson EB-696Ui 3,800 ANSI Lumens Interactive Projector. Designed for today’s BYOD classroom, the Epson EB-600 series takes classroom collaboration further and features a toolset geared towards teaching and learning.
Above the science bench in this room, we mounted a PTZ Optics PTZ Camera and fed this HDMI output to a ceiling-mounted LG 55″ SE3KB Commercial Display Panel. The intention was for the camera to capture workbench demonstrations, while the projector could be used for notes, methods and explanations and further collaboration.
The room featured 9x Flush-Mounted Ceiling Speakers and a Kramer VIA GO for wireless content distribution, and was powered via the familiar use of our custom JED T460 Wall Controllers.
Physics Lab
Similarly, we fitted the Physics Lab with an Epson EB-696Ui 3,800 ANSI Lumens Interactive Projector.
Above the science bench in this room, we mounted a PTZ Optics PTZ Camera and fed this HDMI output to 2x ceiling-mounted LG 55″ SE3KB Commercial Display Panels located in the corners of the reach (a decision made relative to the configuration of this space in particular). The intention was for the camera to capture workbench demonstrations, while the projector could be used for notes, methods and explanations and further collaboration.
The room featured 9x Flush-Mounted Ceiling Speakers and a Kramer VIA GO for wireless content distribution, and was powered via the familiar use of our custom JED T460 Wall Controllers.
Amphitheatre
The Amphitheatre is the building’s ground-level technology spectacle. Featuring an LG 3×3 Video Wall on Pop-Out Wall Brackets, we complimented this visual component with an Audac Audio System consisting of 2x AXIS Designer Column Speakers, 2x MERO6 6″ High End in-Wall Speakers, an SMQ350 Power Amplifier with DSP and a PRE116 Stereo Preamplifier/Mixer. The video wall and column speakers were installed in a purpose-built wall recess to match the cosmetic excellence of the building.
A Kramer VIA GO Wireless Presentation Device and HDMI Wall Plate (installed in a floor box) acted as the primary input sources while a dark grey-coloured JED T460 Wall Controller was installed for system control.
Together with our manufacturing partners at Blue Gum Joinery, we supplied a custom-built lectern featuring the school’s logo, stamped on front-mounted Perspex glass. To the lectern, a Shure 380mm Wireless Gooseneck Microphone and Base was installed for instant presentation audio.
Whilst current facilities developed in the ‘60s provided our students with rich teachings in science, we find ourselves in a time where education is changing. No longer is science curriculum defined by learning facts and figures. Today, classrooms are places of passionate debate, challenging knowledge and small focused discussions.
Seminar Room
The Seminar Room saw the installation of an 86″ LG Semi-Commercial UHD Display Panel and Audac IMEO1 Sound Bar. The IMEO1 Soundbar features a slim and elegant design and includes all required functions for expansion of any audio visual system with an impressive sound. Powered via a custom JED T460 Wall Controller, this display was to be used for HDMI Wall Plate and Kramer VIA GO Wireless presentation.
Digi Lab
Mimicking the school’s existing classrooms, the Digi Lab featured an Epson EB-696Ui 3,800 ANSI Lumens Interactive Projector. Designed for today’s BYOD classroom, the Epson EB-600 series takes classroom collaboration further and features a toolset geared towards teaching and learning.
9x Flush-Mounted Ceiling Speakers and a Kramer VIA GO for wireless content distribution was installed, while the system was controlled via the familiar use of our custom JED T460 Wall Controllers.
VR Pod
A simpler space, the VR Pod featured a single LG 55″ UHD Semi-Commercial Display Panel on a Wall Bracket with HDMI/Kramer VIA GO Wireless Connectivity and a custom JED T460 Wall Controller for system operation.
The Science and Technology Centre will encourage students to observe the learning occurring around them in order to be inspired in a highly transparent environment where expert educators in an array of fields are attracted to leading edge facilities and innovators-in-residence are able to model their practice to intrigued students.
Boardroom
An LG 75″ UU Series UHD Semi-Commercial Display Panel was installed within a wall recess, matching the aesthetic of the room’s architecture. An Audac IMEO1 Sound Bar was installed discretely below the display panel, while a dark grey JED T460 Wall Controller was also installed in a recess to provide global system control. Users in the Boardroom are able to connect to this 75″ Display via either of the two powered HDMI Input Wall Plates – neatly located in out-of-sight floor boxes – or a Kramer VIA GO.
The new Science & Technology Centre will shine a spotlight on the value of scientific thinking, ensuring that the school’s students are equipped with the essential skills and knowledge to be ready for a lifetime of enquiry and understanding.