Flexibility involves planning and designing small, medium, large and extra-large spaces with useful connections and appropriate separations, robust infrastructure and movable furnishings that will support both current and future generations of learners.
Lighting can account for up to 40 percent of a building's energy use, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In Pre-K-12 schools that percentage is going down as schools implement day lighting strategies, retrofit with more efficient light
- By Michael Fickes
- 12/01/12
Security is often on the minds of school administrators. There are many tools from which they can choose to protect their most valued assets -- people -- from security challenges, even on a limited budget. Here are some approaches worth evaluating, along
It's December 2012, the last weeks of the 112th Congress, one of the most unproductive in history, and the end of President Obama's first term. But as everyone is very well aware, several significant issues need to be addressed and resolved, if possible.
- By Fritz Edelstein
- 12/01/12
A "one size fits all" methodology or pedagogical approach, featuring factory-based classrooms settings with rows and rows of desks, falls short of comprehensively preparing today's students to become tomorrow's industry and social leaders. A student's phy
- By Darren L. James
- 12/01/12
Ten years after the introduction of LEED, a similar transformation is occurring in the roofing industry. At the beginning of 2011, the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing (CEIR) launched a sustainable guideline for roofing systems that seeks to
The New Tech Network, headquartered in Napa, Calif., is a rapidly growing association of New Tech Schools now totaling almost 100 nationwide. Their curriculum model, centered mainly on project-based learning in a technology-rich environment, requires an u
- By Richard D. Moretti, Philip R. Conte
- 11/01/12
It's a wonderful environment for children to enter a 21st century classroom outfitted with every possible cutting edge learning tool available to ensure that education is fun, convenient and exciting. But not every student has the benefit of stepping into
Since it is Thanksgiving, the time of year when we should all count our blessings, I would like to take this opportunity to give thanks to my family and friends, my coworkers and colleagues, and all of those who have faced these challenging and unexpected
School construction isn't what is used to be. There are a number of methods being
employed to build schools and add effective and efficient classrooms and learning spaces. Following are examples of just two of them.
- By Kenny Stanfield, Pamela Acuff
- 11/01/12
STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education is taking off, in large part because of recent national attention. All of this attention is designed to encourage collaborative learning and critical thinking so that our students can compete in a gl
Apparently a person who has made a lot of money is automatically an expert on education. Many millionaires, dot.com and otherwise, have been and are using their money to promote their vision of education (and to profit from it), even if that vision is not
As educators know, designing fire and life safety curricula that hit the mark on a real, day-to-day basis isn't easy. There are big issues like demands on educators' time, and also the challenge of approaching fire safety education from the perspective of
Yes, the election is over. Yes, President Obama won a second term. And the face of Congress remains pretty much the same. So what will change? What can change or is possible? What can we expect in the next seven weeks during the lame-duck Congress, in the
- By Fritz Edelstein
- 11/01/12
Buildings with integrated and automated building control systems do use less energy. With a commissioning protocol, you can save even more. You can cut energy use further, while using less labor.
- By Michael Fickes
- 11/01/12
Technology in the classrooms results in collaborative learning between teachers and students -- students' engagement means a chance to take ownership of their own learning through the use of interactive devices and software. Teachers also have the chance
- By Christine Beitenhaus
- 11/01/12
- By Brenda T. Elrod
- 10/01/12
Tucked into an 18th century paper mill on the banks of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, AIM Academy is a learning environment that stimulates creativity and guides signature strengths among its students, all of whom have learning differences. In desi
- By Jennifer Crawford, Ellen Farber
- 10/01/12
The envelope, through the skillful design and construction of walls, windows, clerestories, skylights, ceilings and other components, can contribute heat, coolness, natural light, acoustical performance and aesthetics to the learning environment. What con
- By Michael Fickes
- 10/01/12