Essentials Magazine Essentials Fall 2019 | Page 38

Community-Based Partnerships
often preferred for reading or working
on a tablet or laptop and can easily be
moved to accommodate the moment.
Innovative learning environments
can be created quite cost effectively
through thoughtful analysis of how
each space will be utilized. The pri-
mary function of libraries is no longer
to provide references, resources, and
reading materials. To remain germane,
libraries are increasingly shifting their
focus away from paper books and mov-
ing towards e-learning and collabora-
tion. To be conducive to project-based
learning, they often come complete
with rooms designed for teams of vary-
ing sizes. Less dependence on books
diminishes the need for space-taking
bookshelves. Since walls no longer
need to be lined with such casework,
the space can take advantage of natural
lighting and be equipped with mov-
able and writable or tackable surfaces
used for outlining projects, as well as
thoughtful collaboration.
Science labs of years gone by
consisted of fixed lab tables, often
laid out in islands with a separate area
for desks. A more flexible solution is
to arrange all the casework along the
walls, including stations with sinks and
gas hook-ups. Adjustable height tables
can be wheeled to the stations for lab
experiments or arranged in various
shapes in the center of the room for
lectures, discussions, and other learning
activities. Due to these flexible options,
learning spaces are configured and eas-
ily reconfigured to better support the
needs of the students and the learning
environment.
A Fine Example
In collaboration with the commu-
nity, the Berlin Area School District in
Berlin, Wisconsin, passed a successful
referendum by a margin of three-
to-one. The referendum funded an
expansion of the elementary school,
renovations to the high school, as well
as construction of a new middle school.
The 21st century learning environment
that was proposed for the renovation
and new construction was key to the
excitement the community demonstrat-
ed for the project.
38 essentials | fall 2019
Today’s libraries are so much more than just a book depository, offering flexible furniture,
group collaboration areas, café-like amenities, and space for individual work.
One aspect to focus on that is cer-
tain to be a hit with your constituents,
is to increasingly emphasize STEM
(science, technology, engineering and
math) curricula. Learning environments
with a STEM, or STEAM (adding the
arts), focus prepares students to not
only survive but thrive in the burgeon-
ing technology and science careers of
tomorrow.
Anticipate the Benefits
With a forward-thinking mindset
and sustainable community-based
partnerships, positive outcomes can be
realized.
Here is a sampling of the benefits
you can anticipate:
• Increased staff retention
• Improved staff morale
• Greater ability to recruit top talent
• Enhanced student morale
and participation
• Faster student advancement
• A more positive brand and
reputation
• Additional school revenue
due to positive open enrollment
• Increased community confidence
• More substantial donations
• Inventive partnerships
It is common for those who are con-
sidering relocating to a new community
to check the quality of the schools. The
quality of the school district plays an
essential role in the economic well-be-
ing of our communities.
Raising the Bar
When we provide a true 21st cen-
tury education, which is aligned to the
future workforce needs of our area, our
communities succeed. Then, we attract
more residents, raising our enroll-
ment…and the snowball rolls in the
right direction.
n
TODD BUSHMAKER AIA, LEED AP, is a
Project Architect at Hoffman Planning,
Design & Con-
struction, Inc.,
headquartered
in Appleton,
WI. Bushmaker
is a LEED AP
(Accredited
Professional)
and a member
of the Ameri-
can Institute of
Architects (AIA)
and the Association for Learning Environ-
ments (formerly CEFPI).