If You Build it They Will Come

Hot topics in education right now, STEM or STEAM, flexible seating, maker's space. I was challenged this week to design a space for all of these keywords. I read the assignment and knew immediately what I wanted and what I would do, then I started working on it. SO.MANY.OPTIONS! I couldn't find EXACTLY what I wanted, which made everything else, subpar and inferior. It also doesn't help that my husband and I build almost whatever we want to fit our needs and dimensions. Almost all of our household furniture has built by us. I fully realize the "first world problems" I have in my life.

After way too many hours searching on Pinterest and looking at schools in Norway and Finland, I came to what I would like.

 I took the dimensions of my current room, I decided to leave the SMART and white boards where they are.  The other architectural aspect that I would whole heartedly keep are the widows. The windows open onto the street and run almost the entire length of the room. The natural light is AMAZING and not something found in all classrooms.

Come and take a tour with me on my dream setup.

When you enter the room, I would like for the wall to have wall mounted iMacs. Based on the dimensions, this wall should easily accommodate 15. The seating will be the same for both the Mac and Windows section. I'd like stools and ball chairs. My seating must accommodate students Pre-K through 8th grade, having options is an enormous advantage. The next section (shown here in light blue) will be laptops and/or Chromebooks. The tables will also fold flat and will be able to be pushed up against the MAC wall for additional space, as well as protection for the MAC screen during engineering experiments. I would have to have all of the tables custom made, as I would like wood and not laminate to be material for the construction. An attempt to bring some nature into my tech world.

In the middle of the classroom there is a ceiling mounted motorized projector. This can also be a SMART projector. Because of the motor I can turn it so it is forward facing while students are at their devices, or I can have it point at the smart board or the white boards flanking it for a different experience.

In order for the projector to work optimally and the lab to maintain its longevity, the lovely windows and the amazing sunlight will have to be muted at times, for this I would like blackout motorized blinds.

The flexible seating area will consist of benches and a lower table. I anticipate utilizing this area for small groups and projects. Also a great area if the computer tables are too tall or uncomfortable. This is an option I currently utilize and see daily the benefits these students reap.

Farthest from the door is my makers-space. This room has a ton of built in storage already. Due to this current benefit I opted not to add any storage over there. I find that my students sometimes need and enjoy a short walk to burn off even the littlest bit of energy.

There are two pieces missing in this diagram, the cross and the prayer table. Both are requirements in a Catholic school. With the flexibility of this room, I found fixating on an area for that a challenge. I would probably end up mounting something in a corner that I was able to lower, so I could change it with the liturigical season.

In case you need or want to drool more, here is my vision board for specific items.