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SWIS presentation:

What if... every material was a science learning opportunity?

The kids all really liked the idea of using recycled materials as they thought it is important to learn about sustainability and the environment. They liked how flexible and adaptable the classroom was and how the classroom can be used in heaps of different ways. The kids asked a lot of questions about my design and how the VR/high tech would work and all about the recycled materials and seems very interested which was really cool to see. 

The SWIS teacher was really interested in the recycled materials idea but said the VR is more possible for their classroom. He added to say it would be cool if the VR would not only work for the recycled materials but for other topics if they were learning another topic such as space. He thought it would be cool if you could change it by hanging up posters or something like that so the VR is more adaptable to all different kinds of learning topics. He really liked the magnet blackboard walls and desks and how you can draw all over them and hang work up onto them. He also liked how flexible and adaptable the classroom space was. 

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Feed back:

Sustainability - the more sustainable the more funding - good to know. AR app to access info about the materials in the wall and seats. Window seats when you take seats out - very clever. Liquid chalk surfaces for writing on all over the room. Lots of storage for class. How do you see the learning of sustainability informing the learning that is happening in the space? Marking North like Nigel said shows you listening to other feedback. Magnetised walls and tables to be able to stick/ display stuff. Like the way that space was completely flexible. 

Interesting point re funding Learning about material life cycles through the space - virtual reality Screen - hi tech touch screen partition Table surfaces and wall surfaces - blackboard (magnetic) Good consideration of storage

Josh - nice to see the flexibility through the plans and drawings - very adaptable

Josh/Tama - are the materials actually recycled (yes and the wall shows all of the materials from throughout the space)

- good to learn about materials through the story and life cycle of where it has come from - could it encourage students to bring in recycled materials - add to the space / finish a piece of furniture etc

Tama - inspiring concept re sustainability - what sort of activities could that afford - the concept has the potential for a lot of linkages within and beyond science

Tama - could link to use of recycled materials in surrounding area e.g. rugby pitches with recycled tyres

white dry erase markers rather than chalk?

building science, material science embedded into the fabric of the space...

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Final design:

In the contemporary world there is a huge trend to moving towards sustainability and learning about where things come from and how we can protect our environment. I created a space where the kids are constantly learning about sustainability and the environment through the space that they are in. 

In my design not only have I tried to create a high tech and sustainable space by using all of the recycled materials. I have also really focused on creating the most flexible and functional space possible with the most amount of storage as that is really important to have in a classroom space. I have created the flexible space by taking all of the walls out creating it to be one big open space but added the sliding high tech screens with the option to divide the rooms into two if needed or keep it as one large open space. I have created the desks to be in hexagon shapes that can easily be moved throughout the space and into both rooms. They can all be connected together in different shapes if you want the students to all to connect together or you can leave them single and spread them apart. I've made it so two of the legs of the desk can be folded into the desks can slide into the stainless steel science benches. This connects them together to add more of a connection but also adds more flexibility if you wanted to save more space. The hexagon wall room is also very flexible as it can be used in a lot of different ways. It can have the tables moved down into it and used as a classroom. Or have all the wall seats out and be used as a large sitting area to watch videos on the high tech touch screen or do work/ use the computers. Or it can have the seats all on the wall and be one empty space if you are wanting it empty.

My main design moves are:

-Recycled materials which are used throughout the entire space such as: rubber, cardboard, glass, plastic, tin, steel (stainless steel), carpet (wool), brick, wood, limestone tile.

-VR using ipad where you can hold it up over the material wall and learn all about the materials and its life cycle.

-Hexagon window seat wall where you can keep all the parallelogram seats in it to have extra space or take them all out and arrange them in different shapes and use them to sit on. You can also use the window seats to sit and and do some work.

-High tech touch screen that can be used to divide the classroom if you want two separate classrooms or slide it open to have one large room. The screen can be used on both sides to use for displays/work/watching videos etc but can also be moved completely open creating a flexible space.

-All of the walls and desks are black easy erase surfaces that are also magnet. Which can be draw/written all over on and have work stuck onto them. These can be used with a white/coloured easy erase pen.

-Flexible hexagon desks that can all connect together in different shapes or be separate. They can also connect onto the science benches for extra space. They are easy to move and can move all around the space.

-I've made sure to have a lot of storage in the entryway, experiment room and under the hexagon wall as storage is very important in a classroom.

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sections and plans

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first set of technical drawings

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EXPERIMENT ROOM:

This is the experiment room which can also be opened up and connect to the other room to create one large room. I made the benches a recycled stainless steel surface which will be heavy duty and easy to look after. I've made sure to have a lot of recycled wood storage cupboards all around the room as storage is important in a science classroom space. I've made sure to have enough sinks around the room as the SWIS kids made it clear they wanted a good amount of sinks. 

For my desks, I used a flexible hexagon shaped high desks that are easy to move around. With the hexagon shape, this means you can connect all the desks together if you want the students all together and connecting or have them more separate. I have made the desks so two of the legs can fold up and the desks can slide into the stainless steel benches. This is to connect them together and also create more space if needed making the space even more flexible. 

The two bottom pictures show the stools. I was deciding which recycled material that I wanted to use between plastic or rubber. I decided to use the black rubber.

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ENTRANCE/ FRONT DOOR AREA

I took all of the walls out of this space (but added in the movable touchscreen glass panels) to open up the space to make it more flexible and utilise the space more. The entrance from the stairs is still in the space. Since I have taken out the wall it opens up to the multiuse room. I've added a bench seat sitting area that can be used as another separate area for the kids to use to sit in or do some work. I've added these large recycled wood cupboards of storage as storage is one of the largest needs in a classroom. I made a lot of cubby holes also that the kids can use to place their belongings or to be used to store anything needed and added some draws down the bottom for extra storage. Each of the cubby holes has the different recycled materials that I used in the hexagon wall this is to add more colour and use to all the recycled materials to the space. I also added a skylight and window to lighten up this area as it was a bit too dark.

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I've added along the wall a whole set of computers. I did this because I am wanting to add a lot of high tech to my space and as technology is becoming a huge part of modern learning I decided to add them to my space. I'm also adding them because the kids can use these instead of paper to cut down on paper usage. I am wanting my classroom to also have a large supply of ipads for the kids to use and do work on and also use the virtual reality. 

I have extended the window and made them larger to let in more natural light and accentuate the high ceilings. 

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Development of the wall seat design:

After talking with Jen I had made the design too similar to the picture I had found. I decided to develop it and make them recycled glass window seats instead of a plain wooden wall behind it. This would add more light to the room if the seats have been taken out and the window is exposed. In the photos above I had the wall completely filled with the hexagons but I realised that wasn't very practical as they were too small and went way too high. I also discussed with Jen and I figured out that the wooden seats that fit inside would be too big and heavy to be able to pull out. So I've decided to change their shape and make them more of a hollow frame and divided the hexagon shape seat into 3 to make them 3 parallelogram shapes that all fit together. This means the seats are also more light for the kids to grab and flexible as they are smaller and can be put in all different seating arrangements. This wall will create a place for kids to sit in and chill out to do some work. with all the seats that can be taken out, they can be used to do work on or sit on to watch the screen etc. But if you are wanting a clear space you can place them all back into the wall for optimum space.

I have also come up with the idea for the seats in the hexagon to all be one of the different recycled materials and this can be the wall used for VR where you can learn all about all of the materials and their life cycles. This wall will have all the recycled materials in it that I will use through the entire space.

I also added extra storage draws at the bottom.

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I am wanting my classroom to be very flexible but also have high technology. I am wanting to have sliding class election touchscreen panels that divide the two rooms into two but then the panels can also be slid across to open the room up to one big room. when the panels have been pulled across closed I am wanting this to be one massive glass touch screen wall that can be used on both sides in each classroom. This will be used like a massive touchscreen iPad where the teacher and students can write on it or watch videos etc. I am wanting these screens to also have sunlight readability so they aren't affected by all the natural light and so my room won't need blinds.

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VR through an electronic device such as an Ipad.

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For all the walls and desk surfaces in my design, I am wanting to create an easily erase blackboard that is also a magnet. This is so every surface (walls/desks) are all able to be written on and magnet so work can be stuck up on all of the walls or anywhere you would like.

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living building challenge

https://living-future.org/lbc/case-studies/perkins-seed-classroom/

CERTIFIED LIVING-PERKINS SEED CLASSROOM

From the Science Teacher using the SEEDclassroom at Perkins:

“As the teacher who calls the SEED classroom my home base at The Perkins School, I get the chance to admire and appreciate multiple facets of this beautiful and well thought out building every day. It has positively affected my productivity and joyfulness in doing my job and inspired the students who learn within its walls.

One of the first things the students noticed upon entering the classroom for the first time was that the air smells different. “It smells woodsy!” remarked one student, while another observed that the air felt “fresh.” This isn’t just a trick of the mind due to the natural colors and materials that are so visible, it truly does seem like the air is cleaner and smells healthier in the SEED classroom than a traditional classroom because of the lack of Red List materials and off-gassing. I feel energized breathing the air in the classroom and it keeps my mind awake as I plan lessons and teach our students, as it seems to do for the children too. The room is a pleasure to be in for many other reasons too. I find myself preferring to work late at school instead of bringing my lesson plans home with me because being in the SEED building, with its bare wood walls, natural light, fresh air, spaciousness, and beautiful color palette puts my mind at ease and feels almost like a space that should be used for a retreat, yet I get to use it every day. The bright colors of the carpet squares, the natural “tree” built into the corner, and the plant wall all add a creative, inspirational spark that helps ideas flow. I see that in both my own work and in that of my students.

As a science teacher, I feel especially fortunate to be in this classroom. There are learning opportunities everywhere you look! So many parts of the building connect with units we already have in the curriculum. For instance, during the electricity unit, as the students learn the difference between simple, parallel, and series circuits, they can analyze which types of circuitry are used in their own classroom because the electrical system was purposefully left visible, and they can figure out where and why switches were installed and what sorts of appliances can share a circuit and what other ones need their own breaker because they draw more power on their own. We have started incorporating the subject of solar power in our electricity unit as well because of the learning opportunities afforded by having our own solar panels. Our students analyze the data from the online dashboard and get practice in noticing trends in graph data as well as learning about the relationship between seasonal changes and power production and consumption.

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Living Building Challenge- Materials Petal Intent

https://living-future.org/lbc/materials-petal/

The intent of the Materials Petal is to help create a materials economy that is non-toxic, ecologically restorative, transparent, and socially equitable. Throughout their life cycle, building materials are responsible for many adverse environmental issues, including personal illness, habitat and species loss, pollution, and resource depletion. The Imperatives in this section aim to remove the worst known offending materials and practices and to drive business toward a truly responsible materials economy. When impacts can be reduced but not eliminated, there is an obligation not only to offset the damaging consequences associated with the construction process but also to strive for corrections in the industry itself. At the present time, it is impossible to gauge the true environmental impact and toxicity of the built environment due to a lack of product-level information, although the Living Building Challenge continues to shine a light on the need for transformative industrial practices.

RED LIST MATERIALS OR CHEMICALS

• Alkylphenols

• Asbestos

• Bisphenol A (BPA)

• Cadmium

• Chlorinated Polyethylene and Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene

• Chlorobenzenes

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

• Chloroprene (Neoprene)

• Chromium VI

• Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC)

• Formaldehyde (added) • Halogenated Flame Retardants (HFRs)

• Lead (added)

• Mercury

• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

• Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs)

• Phthalates

• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

• Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC)

• Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins

• Wood treatments containing Creosote, Arsenic or Pentachlorophenol

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in wet-applied products

The project team must create a Materials Conservation Management Plan that explains how the project optimizes materials in each of the following phases:

Design Phase, including the consideration of appropriate durability in product specification

Construction Phase, including product optimization and collection of wasted materials

Operation Phase, including a collection plan for consumables and durables

End of Life Phase, including a plan for adaptable reuse and deconstruction

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10 Ways Virtual Reality Is Already Being Used in Education

we’ve been hearing a lot over the past few years about how virtual reality has the potential to transform the way we learn and teach, from providing in-depth knowledge and helping us understand complex subjects to facilitating language immersion and virtual trips.

Although in theory VR technology should be an amazing tool for learning and teaching, the reality is that it’s been slow to take off in educational settings, in large part due to the fact that it’s still so costly to implement.

Even so, predictions are that by 2019 VR will start becoming mainstream, and some of the major players in the education and technology sectors including Google and Facebook are already pursuing applications for the classroom.

To give you an idea of how VR will eventually facilitate learning, we decided to take a look at some of the most notable examples of how virtual reality is already being used by schools and learning institutions around the world.

1. Virtual field trips

2. Language immersion

3. Skills training

4. Philosophical theories

5. Architecture and design

6. Special education

7. Distance learning

8. Improved collaboration

9. Game-based learning

10. Virtual campus visits

I am wanting to include some high technology in my design as it is the new trend for learning by using VR in my design through Ipads. Since I am doing my design based on a classroom made out of all recycled materials I want to create VR where you can hold the Ipad up over all the recycled materials and it will show you the life cycle of the material and everything about it. This way the kids are learning about sustainability and recycled materials through the space that they are in. 

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Life cycle and information on each recycled material:

ceramic: http://csds.pratt.edu/resource-center/materials-research/material-life-cycles/ceramic-life-cycle/

metals: http://csds.pratt.edu/resource-center/materials-research/material-life-cycles/metals-life-cycle/

plastic: http://csds.pratt.edu/resource-center/materials-research/material-life-cycles/plastic/

rubber: http://csds.pratt.edu/resource-center/materials-research/material-life-cycles/rubber-life-cycle/

stone: http://csds.pratt.edu/resource-center/materials-research/material-life-cycles/stone-life-cycle/

textiles: http://csds.pratt.edu/resource-center/materials-research/material-life-cycles/textiles-life-cycle/

wood: http://csds.pratt.edu/resource-center/materials-research/material-life-cycles/textiles-life-cycle/

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Recycled materials I will be using in my design

-ceramic (brick)- used in the parallelogram seats and cubby holes.

-wood/cardboard- used for the storage/cupboards and the hexagon wall 

-rubber - used on the stool seats

-plastic - used in the parallelogram seats and cubby holes.

-glass - windows and the high tech moveable screen.

-textiles/wool (carpet) - carpet flooring in the walkway and large computer/VR  room

-metal (iron and steel) - iron ceiling detail and stainless steel science bench tops.

-stone (limestone)- flooring in the science experiment room.

Since sustainability has become a massive trend in today's society and it is becoming more and more important for everyone to learn about the environment, how to protect it and how to reduce our carbon footprint. I have decided on my design I am wanting my entire space to be created out of recycled materials. This will help and encourage the kids to learn in a more modern way all about sustainability and the recycled materials through the space that they are in.