It's out with the old and in with the new at the Palmerton Area High School.

New science labs have replaced those that had been intact since the school was constructed in 1969.Visitors were able to catch a glimpse of the refurbished labs as part of a Meet the Teachers Night recently at the high school.The labs now consist of a new biology classroom, chemistry classroom, storage room, and teacher lab prep area.Count Pam Storm among the many who were impressed with the enhanced look of the classrooms.A parent of a high school junior, Storm said the chemistry room which she sat in should be more accessible for students."I think it looks great," Storm said. "It's a lot more user-friendly, and a lot more modern looking."Sophomore Ashley Plocinik and her mother Ann Therese Plolinik also had complimentary words as they sat in the new biology room."I think it's a great classroom," Ashley said.Ann Therese concurred with her daughter's sentiment."I think it's great," Ann Therese said. "I like that they did make improvements for the school."The original science labs were 40 years old and in need of upgrades, district officials have said.The district utilized a portion of a $1 million grant it procured from the state Department of Community & Economic Development with help from state Rep. Keith McCall (D-Carbon) to help pay for the work.After meeting in the auditorium, visitors were able to tour classrooms and talk directly with teachers.A similar event was held the following night when visitors were able to attend a Meet the Teachers Night at the junior high school.