The $14 million research building has classrooms, an amphitheater, wetland, solar and aquaculture labs, which share a fish farm and nursery.
     The Broward School Board finalized the plans for the Magnet Building and construction began April 1, 2006. Work progressed on the building. James A. Cummings Construction was hired as the builder to work with Song+ Associates architects. Teacher Allan Phipps became Broward County's Environmental Teacher of the Year, and he designed a miniature KOE (Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades) Landscape for outside of the building. We received $35,000 from World Wildlife Fund and earned matching money from the South Florida Water Management District, Broward County Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Sugar Corporation, the City of Plantation, James Cummings Construction, Song+ Associates, and others. These donations were used to purchase science equipment, textbooks, and supplies for the students. The building opened in 2008.

    Dr. Alyce Culpepper- is the Magnet Coordinator of the Environmental Science and Everglades Restoration Magnet at South Plantation High and was on the faculty when it opened in 1970. She has a Doctorate Degree from Florida International University, a Master's Degree from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Florida. During her 45 years in education, she was named the National Journalism Teacher of the Year, South Florida Teacher of the Year, Broward County Teacher of the Year and Environmental Educator of the Year.      In 2002, when the Broward County School Board changed the SPHS attendance boundary and sent 450 students to Western High, the board created the magnet at South Plantation to increase enrollment. Dr. Culpepper helped establish the magnet and created the curriculum with its many off-campus site visits. She believes a student "cannot study the environment and understand its issues without being in the environment." In 2005, the faculty asked the school board to name the new facility in her honor, and in January 2009 the building was officially named the "Dr. Alyce Culpepper Environmental Research Center."

OBJECTIVE:
     The objective of the magnet is to empower students to compete in the global marketplace in environmental science and technology, and to line students to real-world experiences including restoring Florida's Everglades.
     Students who have a passion for understanding the environment, who want to participate in a challenging field studies and curriculum should apply. They must score at Level 3 and above on the FCAT in reading and math.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
24 Advanced Placement Classes, Central Location, Flexible Scheduling, Unique Courses, Specialized Labs, Field Studies at University Sites, Free Transportation, Activity Buses, Mentoring Program, Tuition-Free College Courses, ER Ambassadors, Internships, Multiple Academic Competitions, Environmental-Related Programs, and many other Extra-Curricular Activies (Clubs, Programs, etc..)