Construction has begun for the new Engineering Material Science Laboratory Facility at Moorpark College on the second floor of the Physical Science Building.

A large classroom and workshop is needed to support material testings such as stretching metal bars to their breaking point, crushing concrete blocks, heat-treating metals and using various non-destructive test methods from X-ray to analysis welding, said Instructional Lab Technician James Artero.

“The new Engineering Material Science Lab Facility supports the conduct of ENGR M12L – Engineering Materials Lab, a newly developed class that was taught for the first time at Moorpark in spring,” said Artero.

Artero said to acquire the lab space needed, both classrooms PS-208 and PS-209 are being turned into one larger room, once the wall is taken down and the floor is repaired. Then large pieces of engineering materials testing equipment will be installed with testing supplies, materials, desks and storage cabinets.

The Moorpark College Operations and Maintenance Team performs all of the required efforts and expects the construction to finish before the fall semester.

“It is a very ambitious schedule,” said Artero.