Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, has just broken ground on a US$17.5m (€15.7m, £14.1m) education facility for zoo biologists and zoologists, to open next year.

The 31,000sq ft (2,900sq m) has been set an opening date of Q3 2017, offering eight Science and Math Institute (SAMI) classrooms, which includes two science labs, an early learning center and space for the zoo to hold public lectures and presentations.

Using immersive learning, students will use the zoo’s facilities to study science and math principles, working for active learning.

The new facility, designed by Tacoma-based McGranahan Architects and built by Tumwater’s Forma Construction, will have the capacity for 400 students.

The development is a joint initiative between the Tacoma Public School District’s Environmental Learning Center and Metro Parks Tacoma, and is being funded the Tacoma district’s 2013 school construction package of US$500m (€448m, £403.5m) that also covers the cost of either major renovations or full replacements of 14 schools around Tacoma.

According to the zoo, the facility is being developed with the aim of “promoting environmental education at all ages”, with programmes ranging anywhere from preschool education to adult training.

The plans are part of a wider expansion plan for the zoo, which in 2015 announced plans for a US$65.4m (€58.6m, £52.8m) expansion and renovation of existing facilities, to include a brand new aquarium among other improvements.