Dr. Brian Benson, a family physician and his wife, Kaley Benson developed a symptom-screening software for schools called Cleared4School.
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 07/21/20
"ViralBarrier" from Precise Tooling Solutions is intended specifically for K-12 and higher education use.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/20/20
School districts should conduct comprehensive threat vulnerability assessments that not only focus on existing measures already in place, but also encapsulate a thorough review of operational safety and security focused policies and procedures.
Several colleges and universities are pursuing solar solutions for two major reasons: to save money on energy costs and/or to meet sustainability goals through renewable energy projects. Whether you’re already pursuing a solar solution or just starting to consider your options, there are some important considerations to keep in mind, as well as certain factors that go into the most successful solar projects.
Furniture and Equipment
U.S.-based Hy-Lite said its new panels are made of architectural-grade acrylic blocks that allow light through while protecting privacy.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/14/20
Reopening Schools
Rural school districts in Wisconsin have asked the state to begin school earlier than usual citing concerns that the pandemic has interfered with student progress.
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 07/14/20
Los Angeles Unified School District and San Diego Unified School District announced they will not reopen for in-person classes next month due to increasing COVID-19 cases.
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 07/13/20
Life Safety
The inclusion of storm shelters, safe rooms and best available refuge areas are steadily increasing, especially due to recent code changes in the heart of the United States. By specifying commercial rolling doors and shutters that meet strict wind load and flying projectile requirements, classroom pods, cafeterias and gymnasiums can maintain a welcoming appeal while able to transform into a safe space within seconds.
- By Heather Bender
- 07/13/20
Reopening
School districts must offer daily on-campus instruction for all students who wishes to attend, but any parent may request for their child to receive virtual instruction from any school that offers such instruction.
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 07/08/20
Reopening Schools
Overall, signage provides a cost-effective and direct solution to the question, “How does the coronavirus change our schools?” Signage plays a role in helping people feel comfortable in their environments and understanding what is expected of them in certain spaces.
Health Sciences Facilities
The University of North Florida has received $6 million in the latest state budget to build what the university has named the UNF MedNexus. The intent is to create an operation that connects regional healthcare providers with university students, faculty and researchers.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/08/20
Construction has begun on a new facility that will be leased by a Pennsylvania college. Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is expecting to move into the new building by June 1, 2021.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/08/20
Reopening
Texas A&M said it would convert non-traditional spaces into classrooms for the fall semester, which starts on Aug. 19.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/08/20
Sports Facilities
A North Carolina institution is almost finished with a million-dollar project in its stadium. The Western Carolina University project included the removal, demolition and replacement of the existing synthetic turf field and the addition of a new synthetic turf practice area.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/08/20
Construction
Michigan State University has put the brakes on a number of campus construction projects to address a funding gap posed by the impact of the pandemic.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/08/20
Health Sciences Facilities
Finlandia University's College of Health Sciences will be ready to receive students in fall 2020 in its new location, in spite of project delays due to a COVID-19 outbreak, according to the institution.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/08/20
Contest
The inaugural “Custodians Are Key” contest launched in September and recognizes the work of K-12 custodians around the country. Kris Kantor of Hayes Elementary in Lakewood, Ohio is the grand prize winner and will receive a prize valued $5,000, while his school receives $10,000.
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 07/06/20
Building Blueprints
Design-Build
The academic sector is the perfect use case for exploring how design-build is the best delivery system for mitigating risk, increasing the speed of delivery, lowering costs, and delivering great design – all through a simpler, more collaborative process.
Sensory Rooms
The stimulating environment of a sensory room may heighten awareness, provide a sense of security and comfort, improve creativity, promote mental and physical relaxation, and even decrease aggressive behaviors.
Facility Focus
Editor's Note
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 07/01/20
When students finally return to school after months of learning from home, there will be dramatic changes. Even when K-12 leaders are allowed to reopen their facilities, doing so safely and responsibly will require everyone to maintain proper distancing while they’re at school, experts agree — at least until there is a working vaccine for the COVID-19 virus.
- By Cindy Eggebrecht-Weinschreider
- 07/01/20
Procurement
School districts see value in using cooperative purchasing entities as they get a steady, predictable pricing structure and supplier source.
- By Sarat Pratapchandran
- 07/01/20
Reopening Schools
Gov. Gary Herbert approved the Utah State Board of Education’s requirements and recommendations for reopening schools in the state. As per the requirements, all Utah public schools must have reopening plans in place and posted online by August 1.
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 06/29/20
Furniture and Classroom Spaces
Even before COVID-19 forced K-12 leaders to rethink the design of school spaces, versatility was an important design element for classrooms and other instructional environments. Once life returns to normal, versatility will continue to be a critical design element.
- By Cindy Eggebrecht-Weinschreider
- 06/29/20
Industry Spotlight
We spoke to HID Global's Tim Nyblom, End User Business Manager - Higher Ed, and Dave O’Driscoll, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, about cloud and mobile technologies that will be important when universities reopen in the fall and in the next few years.
Planning and Design
How can higher education institutions incorporate student success in their resilience planning process as they consider future impacts on campuses? And how can design professionals use their knowledge and skills to support this effort?
- By Cindy Villarreal
- 06/23/20
Safety & Security
To aid in a rapid response, innovative technology companies have developed powerful gunfire detection systems to greatly reduce the time required before a suspect is apprehended.
Reopening
The Department of Public Instruction recommends smaller class sizes, alternating school-day schedules, and providing mental health support for students and staff.
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 06/22/20
Reopening
As colleges and universities make plans to reopen facilities in the fall, higher ed decision makers must consider a variety of issues while COVID-19 continues to spread in communities across the country. A facility services expert shares strategies and protocols used to ensure a healthy environment for students, faculty and staff.
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 06/17/20
Reopening
Dallas ISD is waiting on direction from the state and haven’t solidified plans, yet. In the meantime, the district has created a first draft of safety and security guidelines for campus reentry, along with three different potential instructional models.
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 06/15/20
Furniture
Here are five tips that all K-12 schools can use to break out of the one-size-fits-all classroom furniture model and create modern, engaging spaces for 21st Century learners.
- By Kristine Wolfe
- 06/15/20
Safely Reopening
The design of the learning space will play a critical role in enabling active learning to occur in a responsible manner.
- By Cindy Eggebrecht-Weinschreider
- 06/10/20
New Construction
While the University of California San Diego has put some projects on hold due to financial constraints introduced by the pandemic, the university is forging ahead with construction work on its North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood and planning for its Future College Living and Learning Neighborhood.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/03/20
New Construction
Des Moines' school board approved a resolution to continue work on a stadium that will serve the school district and Drake University.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/02/20
Technology
When the pandemic subsides, districts that haven’t already will likely take a closer look at e-learning and the skills and solutions that make it possible.
The COVID slide could exacerbate existing achievement gaps if K-12 leaders don’t take action. Here are four strategies that can help solve this challenge.
- By Robert Brian Gossage
- 05/28/20
New Construction
Although the usual groundbreaking celebration was put off due to COVID-19, the Colorado State University System broke ground this month on its newest campus. The Denver site, dubbed "Spur," will eventually include three buildings, focused on the studies of food, water and health.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/28/20
The Atlanta-based institution will be installing more than 15,000 solar panels on 16 campus buildings. That represents 5.5 megawatts of solar generation, enough to produce about a tenth of the university's peak energy requirements.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/27/20
Reopening
Three-hundred and ten presidents responded to the survey on topics such as “their current plans for the fall, including actions they may require to consider reopening campus, the impact of the pandemic on future revenue, and the projected impact on fall enrollment numbers.”
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 05/26/20
Online Learning
About 500 Pre-K students at Escambia County School District will have access to a free online summer education program designed to help children make up for lost learning due to the coronavirus.
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 05/26/20
Facilities
They are the first generation to be immersed in technology since birth, experiencing it as an extension of daily life. As future Gen Zers progress through our learning institutions, their characteristics, wants and needs will further shape K-12 education environments, university campuses and future workplaces.
Classroom Components
Why address comfort in the design of a learning space? When students are physically comfortable, they’re more at ease: They can relax, block out negative thoughts and focus more effectively on instruction.
- By Cindy Eggebrecht-Weinschreider
- 05/25/20
Reopening Schools
School nurses bring a broad set of skills and experience in the monitoring of student and staff wellness, and they’re a critical resource as K-12 leaders plan to reopen schools amid a global pandemic.
Construction
Directions issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in late March suspended all non-essential construction activity in New York, leaving universities and colleges scrambling to put construction projects on hold in a manner that would allow them to pick up the work when closures have been lifted. At Binghamton University, part of the State University of New York system, that affected numerous building sites.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/19/20
Construction
Construction sites in Michigan that were under state shutdown orders are starting work again — including at the University of Michigan. The institution has begun working with state officials to crank up activities on multiple projects, including new construction and renovation and addition work.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/19/20
Safely Reopening
Although Baylor University intends to return to in-person classes in the fall, the Texas institution said that doesn't mean it's planning for a "normal start."
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/19/20
COVID-19
Appalachian State University recently learned that 16 subcontracted workers have tested positive for COVID-19.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/19/20
Student Housing
Just as our homes have once again become the epicenters of our lives under quarantine — leading us to consider and re-evaluate their design — student housing facilities will likewise undergo massive changes in response to new hygiene concerns and lifestyle desires of students and their families.
- By Theresa Genovese, AIA, LEED AP
- 05/19/20