Page 50 - LearningSCAPES 2021

SESSIONABSTRACTS continued...
panelists, an educational strategist and researcher, progressive educator, and architect specializing in K-12 design, will analyze the feedback gathered throughout the think tank and synthesize key takeaways and proposed solutions for presentation at the conference. After this presentation, the panel will engage the audience around these topics to further the conversation. Through this crowdsourced approach, we hope to craft discourse, and ultimately scalable solutions for the future of American education.
Learning Objectives:
• Gain insight into the wide range of challenges and opportunities experienced by a comprehensive group of stakeholders representing varying perspectives.
• Understand the history of the modern education system as a foundation for our present reality and lesson for the future.
• Explore future trends that will affect education including the rise of A.I., robotics, and automation.
• Translate insight into forward-thinking solutions for the next century of education.
Matthew McChesney, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, Partner, KSS Architects
Matt is a powerful force and trusted advisor within the K-12 community, helping to build community and achieve pedagogical goals, thereby empowering students to succeed and neighborhoods to flourish. Clients know Matt for his ability to listen to their needs, understand their values, and create spaces that maximize their potential. His work for leading education clients has contributed to the design and renovation of dozens of charter schools in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York
Beth Emig, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Associate, KSS Architects
Beth is passionate about designing environments to support student engagement and success with a diverse range of experience on a variety of project types for Higher Education and K-12 clients, with a specialty in designing for students with Special Needs. Beth’s ability to work collaboratively with clients to understand their needs and the hidden design potential in the challenges they face. Beth volunteers her time with Philadelphia’s Community Design Collaborative and has served as a part-time adjunct instructor at Temple University teaching architecture students the fundamentals of digital media.
Friday, October 15, 2021 - 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
The Learning Playground – Adaptable Design Strategies for Equitable Access to Restorative Learning Environments
1 LU / HSW
The “Learning Playground” embraces nature connectedness, human connection, and interweaving emerging technologies to showcase virtual and physical environmental elements affiliated with enhanced mental, physical health and wellbeing, and improved resilience for student learning. We aim to provide examples of spatial cues that support learners, allowing play, personalized learning styles, refuge, physical activity, and human interaction to reinvigorate the learning setting and challenge the status quo to welcome the future of learning. The session will dive into the following topics:
Characteristics that make an experience/environment “restorative” and how they impact learners and educators.
How technology affects access to immersive nature-connectedness, and enhanced social interaction.
COVID-19 experiences that have been positive lessons of disruptions to be paired with evidence affiliated with enhanced wellbeing.
Learning Objectives: