The Frank Moretti Education Center is a state-of-the-art, 1,500-square-foot learning and laboratory facility completed in the Spring of 2021. Located on the lower level of the Black Rock Forest Lodge, this multifunctional space serves as a modern hub for field science education, hands-on scientific discovery, teacher training, and institutional collaboration.
About Dr. Frank Moretti
The center is dedicated in memory of Dr. Frank Anthony Moretti, a visionary educator, leader in instructional technology, and longtime champion of environmental literacy.
Dr. Moretti served as the President of the Black Rock Forest Board of Directors from 1994 until his passing in 2013, providing transformative leadership that guided the Forest’s growth as a premier field station for research and education. As a dedicated educator and former co-director of Columbia University’s Center for New Media Teaching and Learning (CCNMTL), Dr. Moretti was a pioneer in integrating digital technologies into meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. He was also the Associate Headmaster at The Dalton School—a founding member institution of the Black Rock Forest Consortium—where he championed hands-on, inquiry-based learning. His deep commitment to Black Rock Forest and its educational mission helped shape how generations of teachers and students connect empirical field science with modern technology. This facility honors his enduring legacy of pedagogical innovation, curiosity, and intellectual rigor by providing students and researchers with cutting-edge tools to explore the natural world.
🔬 Facility Features & Capabilities
Designed for maximum flexibility and interactive learning, the Moretti Education Center integrates environmental research infrastructure directly with digital teaching tools:
- Capacity: Accommodates a seated class of up to 30 students.
- Interactive Technology: Equipped with a high-definition Promethean smart board connected to a MicroEye discovery microscope, allowing whole-group observation of microscopic specimens in real time.
- Flexible Learning Environments: Houses chemical-resistant, rolling science lab tables and ergonomic lab chairs that easily reconfigure for lectures, group research, or laboratory experiments.
- Expansive Whiteboard Space: Features a floor-to-ceiling whiteboard wall for brainstorming, data visualization, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Environmental Controls: Climate-controlled space with precise temperature and humidity management to protect sensitive specimens and field samples.
- Field Equipment Storage: Dedicated on-site storage for field sampling instruments, scientific sensors, and outdoor gear.
- Wireless Connectivity: Integrated with campus-wide Wi-Fi and the Forest’s wireless mesh network.
Explore Further
- 🏡 The Forest Lodge — View overnight accommodations and shared guest spaces located upstairs.
- 📅 Plan Your Educational Visit — Reserve the Moretti Education Center for your school, workshop, or research group.
