COLUMBIA, MD — There will be a grand opening for a far-reaching education company this week at Two Merriweather. The new tenant — Pearson — provides tools and content for educators across the world.

The office in Columbia will support Pearson's online learning initiative. The virtual classroom component of the company launched in Baltimore as Connections Education in 2001 and has since been acquired by Pearson, according to a statement from the company. More than 400,000 students use Pearson's program for "blended and online K-12" education, which offers online public school, the company reports.

Two Merriweather will incorporate an environment that reflects the flexibility that Pearson offers its students. Employees will be able to use standing desks or the traditional kind and can look out at Merriweather Post Pavilion through floor-to-ceiling windows or brainstorm in private focus rooms. The ribbon-cutting at the new Pearson office will take place Thursday, Dec. 7, at 10960 Grantchester Way in Columbia. It will anchor Two Merriweather.