Students get sneak peek at new chemistry labs opening this fall
From the students’ perspective: More than a lab, it’s support for our future
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (08/05/2025) — For students across the University of Minnesota, the way they learn chemistry—in labs, lectures, and beyond—is about to change. This fall, the Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories will open their doors, offering spaces designed for hands-on discovery, collaboration, and belonging. Right now, the labs are still taking shape—with furniture, equipment, and final details—but students are already imagining how these new environments will shape their education and future careers.
“This space is built for how students actually learn today,” says Tucker Besel, a Ph.D. candidate in chemical physics and experienced chemistry teaching assistant. “The old chemistry labs were crowded, noisy, and outdated—students struggled to hear over the outdated fume hoods, let alone collaborate. The new design encourages teamwork and critical thinking, not just memorizing steps. It’s a space that reflects the caliber of science, teaching, and innovation at the University of Minnesota.”
In the video below, Tucker and undergrad Julia Emilia Toledo offer their take on the Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories during a building tour in July.
Talia Glinberg, a chemistry undergraduate student and a recipient of the Wayland E. Noland Scholarship, discovered her love of science through hands-on experiences. Now, as a rising senior conducting summer research in California, she knows those early lab experiences shaped her path.
“Science can be intimidating—especially in your first year,” Glinberg said. “But having an open, welcoming space built for collaboration and questions makes it so much more approachable.”
For her, it took time to feel confident asking for help.
“I didn’t realize how helpful it could be to study with others,” she said. “It took me a couple of years to figure that out. This building makes it easier for students to collaborate right from the start.”
As Glinberg puts it: “This new building shows how much people care about students and their futures—not just in our classes, but in our careers. They’re helping us learn chemistry, yes—but this building changes the way students learn, makes them feel they belong, and shows we’re all in this together.”
The building is almost ready.
Support students' learning with a gift to the new Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories.
Explore how the College of Science and Engineering is transforming chemistry undergraduate education.
The Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories’ copper exterior and eight-panel stained glass by Dyani White Hawk.