For pupils at Eastbluff Elementary School, science classes focus on more than just reading texts and watching nature videos.

With the opening of the school's science learning center, fourth- through sixth-graders can perform experiments on electricity and magnetism, build replicas of volcanoes and examine the properties of salt.

Eastbluff teachers, pupils and administrators Wednesday unveiled the new science lab, the first of 16 planned in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. There will be one at each elementary campus.

Irvine Co. officials also attended to announce a $2.5 million donation for the district to support science in elementary schools.

"Students at Eastbluff and throughout Newport-Mesa will now receive training in science far beyond what is required by the state," Superintendent Jeffery Hubbard said.

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

The Irvine Co.'s donation, spread over 10 years, will pay for hiring and training of science teachers and lab expenses.

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

The Eastbluff science center is a prototype of how the other centers will look and operate, Hubbard said.

Construction on the 15 others should be finished in two to three years, according to officials.

The centers will offer computers with Internet access, workstations equipped for lab experiments, overhead projectors and other science equipment.

Newport-Mesa elementary school pupils will enter middle schools better prepared to take advanced sciences classes because of the labs and the donation, Eastbluff Principal Charlene Metoyer said.

Since 2000, the Irvine Co. has given more than $80 million to public education.

Recent donations include $1 million for after-school programs in the Santa Ana Unified School District and a $20 million endowment for the Irvine Unified School District's music and arts programs.