HARTFORD, Conn. -- Nearly two years after the groundbreaking, and after a year of construction, a ceremony was held Tuesday to mark the laying of the final beam of the Connecticut Science Center.

"This building is a testament that Connecticut believes in the future of its young people," said Science Center President Theodor Sergi.

The beam was hoisted along with an American flag and an evergreen tree, a Scandinavian tradition that began to pay homage to the gods believed to live in trees.

The building's architect attended the celebration and said he can't wait for the center's grand opening.

"I will come back just to watch the building full of excited young people," said architect Cesar Pelli.

Now that the building's skeleton is in place, work will begin to close the building in. That work is expected to be finished at the end of this year or beginning of next year.

The grand opening is slated for fall 2008.

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