Due to an increase in demand for jobs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, the Corona Norco Unified School District in California decided it was time to start producing more STEM graduates from its district. With the new 107,000 sq. ft. eSTEM Academy in Eastvale, it will. An integral part of the sleek, high-tech building's design was the incorporation of 35,000 sq. ft. of Omega-Lite^®ACM panels from Laminators Inc. 

Constructed as a part of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, the new two-building school has 18 classrooms and 13 labs for robotics, 3D printing, manufacturing, health science, medical technology and other areas. It also includes a student resource center, a research lounge, a covered outdoor lunch area and a 600-seat amphitheater. The eSTEM Academy gives approximately 1,000 students the opportunity to specialize in two career paths, including Medical Science and Engineering & Design.

As part of the new construction, over 35,000 sq ft of Laminators' Omega-Lite^®ACM panels in Bright Silver Metallic, Coppertone Metallic and Brilliant Orange were installed using Laminators’ proprietary Dry Seal installation system. The vivid PVDF/Kynar 500^® colors add new dimension and colorfully dress the exterior of the dynamic design. The specialty Brilliant Orange color flows perfectly with the school’s colors of orange and blue.

The Dry Seal installation is ideal for installing Omega-Lite® ACM panels and creating a high-performance, pressure-equalized wall system that compartmentalizes the air cavity and allows for drainage and ventilation. This system reduces moisture-related issues within the wall cavity.

Omega-Lite ACM panels offer a highly decorative, strong, and durable surface finish for exterior wall surfaces. Composed of a polypropylene, light-weight corrugated core between two finished aluminum sheets, these panels are non-absorbent, water-resistant and easy to maintain.

Omega-Lite installed with the Dry Seal system passed the AAMA 508 testing standards (Voluntary Test and Classification Method for Pressure Equalized Rain Screen Wall Cladding Systems); as well as met NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 285, Miami-Dade County Product Control and Florida Product Approval requirements. Laminators Inc. manufactures high quality ACM panels that meet these stringent performance levels and provide design professionals and building owners the confidence that their cladding will withstand the most extreme conditions.

General contractor Neff Construction, Ontario, CA oversaw the new construction, including working with LPA Inc., a sustainable design architecture firm based out of Irvine, CA.