Page 52 - LearningSCAPES 2021

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STEM interest in students starting in kindergarten, all the way through high school, Perkins&Will hosted inclusive visioning sessions with key stakeholders. The goal was to determine the qualifications students would need to be successful in future careers, as well as the space and technology needed to enable learning, and the tools needed for STEM-focused teachers. In response to these sessions and regional industry demands, the pathways identified included: aviation, biotechnology, cyber security, global arts communications, engineering/robotics, and STEM management. To encourage flexibility and adaptability to future changes, the space accommodates multiple uses: messy and clean labs, an immersion studio, areas for collaboration, and presenting/lecturing/training spaces. The facility layout was finalized with direct feedback from the very educators who utilize it. Today, the center has partnerships with local public and private universities and other industry partners that enhance the curriculum, provide training, student internships, scholarship opportunities, and a pathway to a master’s degree for teachers. Join us to learn how a small investment and 8,000 square feet of underutilized space was converted into an innovative STEM Exploration Center for Richardson ISD.
Learning Objectives:
• Identify how a small financial investment can reap big rewards for the community.
• Divulge the challenges of integrating cutting edge technology into learning spaces.
• Discover how building partnerships with businesses can provide education opportunities.
• Discuss planning concepts that ensure flexibility for future change.
Vandana Nayak, AIA, Regional Practice Leader, Principal, Perkins&Will
Based in Perkins&Will’s Dallas studio, Vandana is the Regional Education Practice Leader and delivers excellence in K-12 and Higher Education architecture and design. Vandana has worked with educational clients for over 20 years and has a unique ability to understand client goals. Given that her clients typically have numerous constituents involved with diverse perspectives, she navigates through the many voices, creates a clear vision, and translates that into a built facility that exceeds expectations.
Sandra Hayes, Assistant Superintendent District Operations, Richardson Independent School District
Sandra has 30 years of experience in education, beginning her tenure as a teacher and coach at the junior high level, then moved to central administration. She held positions in the Curriculum & Instruction, Instructional Technology, and Career & Technical Education departments before being appointed the Assistant Superintendent of Technology. Presently, Sandra is the Assistant Superintendent of Operations for Richardson ISD. Sandra recently completed her Superintendent Certification in a doctoral program at the University of North Texas.
Friday, October 15, 2021 - 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Student Voice Informs Equitable Learning Space Design from A4LE SchoolsNEXT Design Competition
1 LU
A4LE’s annual student design competition, SchoolsNEXT, challenges middle school students to plan and design sustainable
and resilient learning spaces that encourage innovation, critical thinking and collaboration. This session explores the past 3
years of student projects, identifying considerations and recommendations from the student perspective of what their learning environments need to embrace and support. This session will be co-facilitated with SchoolsNEXT chairs alongside SchoolsNEXT participating students. Students will respond to design-thinking questions to illustrate their first-hand perspective, with the
goal of informing intentional learning space design. A call to action will be issued to attendees to share the impact of the SchoolsNEXT design competition with school districts for future participation, to build and inspire future generations of architects and designers.
Learning Objectives: