As teachers, pupils and administrators at Eastbluff Elementary unveiled their new science lab Wednesday, Irvine Co. officials announced a $2.5 million donation to support science in all Newport-Mesa Unified School District elementary schools.

The donation, spread over 10 years, will pay for lab expenses and hiring and training science teachers.

“By strongly supporting public education, the Irvine Co. is not only investing in education, but we are investing in the community,” said Dan Miller, a senior vice president.

The Eastbluff science center is a prototype of how labs in other district elementary schools will look and operate. Construction on the 15 others should be finished in two to three years, officials said.

Funding for the construction of each science lab comes from Measure F, the $282 million bond that voters approved in 2004.

District students will enter middle schools better prepared to take advanced sciences classes because of the labs and the donation, Eastbluff Principal Charlene Metoyer said.