Every multi-level school building has a back staircase. Other than a quick path from floor to floor, nothing is of interest or importance… Not so in the Rowley Center for Science and Engineering (RCSE), on the Middletown
campus of SUNY Orange.

Professor Walter Jahn, PhD                                                                                                             

Professor Walter Jahn, who is known for his extensive body of work photographing native wildlife, climate change documentary videos, classroom activities as diverse as DNA fingerprinting, the study of actual human brains, the analysis of the most primitive fish alive today, discussions on the ethical implications of genetic engineering and the role of genes in human behavior, plus his guitar & song pop-up performances, and all-around brilliance, decided to make the back staircase into a learning space.                                             

Join us for an active and interesting evening of learning science in a relaxed atmosphere on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 starting at 6pm in RCSE room 010, the Gerry Forum for Climbing the Steps of the Evolution of Life & History of the Earth with Walter Jahn, PhD, Professor of Biology. Professor Jahn will give an introductory lecture of explanation on the Concept of the Prehistoric Stairway: Evolution of Life ~ Biology coupled with History of the Earth ~ Geology.

Then, he will lead us on a short walk down the hallway to the back staircase. On the way, you’ll pass a Climate Change Temperature Wall Graph also designed by Jahn. And finally, you’ll enter to the sign announcing “Welcome to the Prehistoric Climb through Time.” 

You will be invited to “Climb on the Prehistoric Stairway with each step marching you through the evolution of life and geologic history.” You may go at your own pace under the guidance of the professor.

Each Era is color-coded: Precambrian ~ yellow; Paleozoic ~ blue; Mesozoic ~ green; Cenozoic ~ pink. The steps, QR coded handrails, and Visual Graphics denote millions of years. 

This event is presented by SUNY Orange’s Cultural Affairs and the Biology Department and is free and open to the public. Questions may be directed to cultural@sunyorange.edu. Also, check the website at www.sunyorange.edu/culturalaffairs. 

The Rowley Center for Science and Engineering (RCSE) is located at GPS: 10 East Conkling Avenue, Middletown. Free parking is available at parking lot #1 (GPS: 24 Grandview Ave) next to Orange Hall or the parking garage # 3 (5 East Conkling Ave) across from RCSE.