Page 51 - LearningSCAPES 2021

SESSIONABSTRACTS continued...
• Understand characteristics of a “restorative experience” and benefits of biophilic design strategies pertaining to mental, physical health, wellbeing, and cognitive performance. Identify further research gaps pertaining to impacts on learners.
• Identify how biophilic design strategies can be employed in conventional learning environments and how these strategies could be adapted to remote learning environments to expand equitable access to restorative environments.
• Recognize how VR/AR can be utilized as a tool to create virtual learning environments in order to facilitate engagement, human connection, nature-connectedness and immersion in simulated restorative experiences.
• Acknowledge the importance of a learner’s “sense of belonging” and how spatial interventions can promote interaction and enhance human-social connection.
Valerie Caruolo, AIA, LEED AP, CPHC, Learning Space Designer & Research Lead, Hord Coplan Macht
BA Brown University, MARCH University of Maryland, University Innovation Fellow Stanford d.School.
Valerie is co-author of AIA Upjohn funded primary research, The Impact of Biophilic Learning Spaces on Student Success, and seeks to promote translation of scientific findings into practice. Passionate about designing learning spaces, experiences that enable humans to thrive, Valerie explores how access to restorative environments impacts the mental, physical health, wellbeing, and success of learners. She lectures extensively on Human Centered Design.
Leah Wettstein, Principal, Hord Coplan Macht
Leah is a Principal for Hord Coplan Macht’s Baltimore office. As lead Interior Designer in the Education Studio, she brings an in-depth understanding of how to create spaces that are inspirational, timeless and reflect the unique culture and brand of each client. With over 19 years of interior design experience, she continues to push the boundaries of impact, innovation and client experience to all of her projects. With a passion for creating successful academic and workplace environments that address her clients’ unique and evolving needs, Leah has extensive experience developing creative solutions through strategic programming, space planning, interior architecture, as well as finish and furniture selection for K-12 schools and higher education projects. A highly regarded voice in the design community, she is an active critic, panelist and speaker at national industry conferences.
Lisa Ferretto, Principal; Sustainability Director, Hord Coplan Macht
Lisa is a Principal, Sustainability Director, and Architect. Lisa promotes the integration of sustainability and well-being throughout the entire design process and consults on projects across all studios. She has worked on over 40 LEED projects,
with certified projects totaling almost 3 million square feet. Lisa is a member of the Baltimore Sustainability Commission
and a former member of the MD Green Building Council advocating for environmental equity. She is a frequent lecturer, volunteer mentor, and was honored as a Leading Woman in 2012 and as one of the Top 100 Women in 2016 by the Maryland Daily Record. She was the founder of GREEN events | Baltimore and has volunteered with AIA COTE, Committee on the Environment, Portland’s City Repair Project, and Baltimore’s Green Building Task Force. She is a Climate Reality Climate Leader, SEED Accredited, a Green School Leader, and an Eco-Charrette Accredited Facilitator.
Friday, October 15, 2021 - 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Engineering the Future Leaders of Our Community
1 LU
According to the U.S. Board of Education, the country’s STEM education ranks 8th out of 37 participating countries. Richardson Independent School District, located in North Texas and home to over 25 Fortune 500 companies, is acutely aware of this workforce gap and wanted to create an environment to encourage STEM-capable students. The introduction of STEM pathways in high school is typically too late, as most students develop their attitude and aptitude towards math, science, and engineering during their early years. To bridge the gap, Richardson ISD envisioned a new STEM Center to provide exposure to potential STEM career paths, foster curiosity, and equip students to become knowledgeable innovators. To create a center that stimulates