Hundreds of students, faculty, alumni and state representatives gathered at UW Bothell to celebrate the completion of the first expansion to the campus in 10 years.

Gov. Jay Inslee and UW President Michael Young spoke at the dedication and ribbon cutting for the new science and academic building.

The $68 million Discovery Hall is a 75,000 square foot building featuring 430 new classroom seats, 250 laboratory seats, project support spaces and faculty offices. The building also features 10 distinct types of laboratories along with a metal shop, wood shop, cold room and a large collaboratory for student use. Energy-efficient features of the building include use of recycled materials, gearless traction elevators, passive chilled beams, displacement ventilation, low-flow plumbing fixtures and water-efficient landscaping.

“The coolest place to be right today is right here,” Inslee said. “This building was called ‘Discovery Hall’ for a reason; it’s because we have no idea what discoveries can come from this building.”

Discovery Hall is now the home of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) approved by the University of Washington Board of Regents in February 2013. Funding came from state taxpayers, a bond sale and efforts made by the university.

“This is our third building at UW Bothell and, let me tell you, it was badly needed,” Young said.

Young pointed out full-time enrollment for this year is 4,216, which is 11 percent more students than last year. Discovery Hall is already at capacity, providing access to higher education for an additional 1,000 students.

UW Bothell also added five STEM degrees, including mathematics, cyber security and mechanical engineering.

“Now we have the room to accommodate more students,” Young said. “This is what our community and our state needs: to unleash the power of our great young people.”

Discovery Hall will be fully operational for classes in fall quarter 2014.