All Articles


Renderings of the Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing. Source: Ozarks Technical Community College

New Construction

Southwest Missouri CC Breaks Ground on Advanced Manufacturing Center

A community college in southwest Missouri has just broken ground on a new facility to house advanced manufacturing education programs.

Energy

Georgetown U Buys Into Local Solar

Georgetown University has taken the next step in its commitment to sustainability by committing to obtaining two-thirds of its total electricity consumption directly from "local" solar farms in Maryland and New Jersey.

Schools In Focus podcast logo on the left and Ishita Banerjii

PODCAST

Schools In Focus: KSU’s New Multicultural Student Center

Ishita Banerjii, project architect at Hollis + Miller, discusses Kansas State University’s new multicultural student center. The building, dedicated to advance student diversity, features various gathering spaces like dance studios, huddle rooms, and a commercial kitchen.

Someone with blue rubber gloves wiping down a desk.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Does Your School Maintenance Plan Pass the Test?

Although you set your initial school maintenance plan during the late summer months, now is a good time to evaluate its effectiveness, find opportunities to refine your processes, and make sure you and your teams are doing all you can to safeguard students and staff if and when they enter your doors in person.

Cleaning

3M Announces New Floor Care System

3M’s Commercial Solutions Division launched a new line of products that reduces the labor and product costs associated with routine floor maintenance, according to the company.

Editor's Note

A 2020 Reflection



best school projectors

Best Projectors for Schools

reader survey

Reader Survey

The Ongoing Impact of COVID-19 Policy in Education

COVID-19 has changed and will continue to change every aspect of education in K–12 and higher education for the foreseeable future. We polled our readership to learn of the experiences taking place across the nation and get a glimpse of what's being planned going into the spring 2021 semester and beyond.

school hallway

Interiors

It's All In The Details: Walls, Ceilings and Floors

Contests

APPLY: Schools Can Receive Free Internet Service, Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots for K-12 Students

AT&T, in collaboration with non-profit Connected Nation, launched an online application for the AT&T K-12 Connected Learning Program, which offers free wireless internet service and mobile Wi-Fi hotspots for marginalized students nationwide.

Social distancing markers on school hallway.

Cleaning/Maintenance

Studying Up: Preparing for Flu Season

This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu is more important than ever.

Lab Equipment

Lab Equipment Company Features Ductless Fume Hood

HEMCO, a laboratory equipment manufacturer, released its CleanAire II Ductless Hoods. The hood is designed to meet DH I requirements as defined by SEFA 9.

Building Solutions Announces Social Justice Campaign for Dallas-Fort Worth Schools

Building Solutions, a real estate and facility assessment advisor, announced their “Building Solutions for Brighter Futures” campaign, an initiative that helps make improvements in underserved Dallas-Fort Worth area schools with the hope it will help achieve better outcomes for K-12 students.

Renderings of the new San Jacinto Elementary School Image Credit: PBK

Goose Creek CISD To Break Ground on New Elementary School

Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District will break ground on a new elementary school at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 in Baytown, Texas.

The volume of the existing structure of CEC Fort Collins High School offered an opportunity to bring daylight in from above, creating a community space within the hallway.

Adaptive Reuse

Adaptive Reuse Offers Schools an Opportunity to Innovate, Embrace Sustainability and Reduce Costs

As the education industry assimilates to a new and uncertain future, we can take one lesson from 2020 with us: we must embrace innovative solutions and have the courage to try new things as we plan for the future. Adaptive reuse can support this endeavor.

Schools In Focus Podcast logo and headshots Turan Duda and Jeff Paine.

PODCAST

Schools In Focus: Centering Student Health and Wellness In Design

In this episode of Schools In Focus, Turan Duda and Jeff Paine, founding principals of Duda|Paine Architects, discuss how architectural design is shifting to better address the mental and physical health needs of students.

The FreshAir1 Smoking Detection System detects tobacco and marijuana smoking.

Smoking Detection Company Offers Product that Monitors for Tobacco, Marijuana Smoking

The FreshAir1 Smoking Detection System is capable of monitoring up to 500 square feet and is suited for educational facilities to enforce no-smoking policies.

Outdoor learning pavilion at Linden Waldorf School in Nashville, TN.

Classroom Spaces

With New Open-Air Classrooms, Nashville Private School Moves Learning Outdoors

With a curriculum centered on connection to nature and environmental stewardship, Linden Waldorf School's vision for the pavilions were to move all classes completely outdoors where students get to be in nature throughout the whole school day.

Sustainability

Colorado State Signs for Solar Installation

Colorado State University signed a deal that will move the Fort Collins institution closer to its goal of shifting all of its energy needs to renewable electricity by 2030.

Construction

Research: Construction Workers 5x More Likely to Enter Hospital with COVID-19

Construction workers are five times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than other kinds of workers.

Technology

Capacity Management Added to Campus Transaction App

An education technology company better known for its payment solutions is promoting functionality within its software to help schools manage the number of students allowed in a specific space.

An architectural rendering of Adjaye Associates

Rice Chooses Renowned Adjaye Associates for New Student Center

The structure will include a multicultural center and a rooftop auditorium and will largely replace the campus' Rice Memorial Center.

CIRI Webinar Series Graphic

Cleaning

CIRI To Host Webinar Series Focused on Cleaning and Indoor Virus Transmission

The Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) will host a three-part webinar series called “COVID-19: The Second Wave,” beginning Thursday, Nov. 12.

Furniture

Furniture Company Debuts New School Furniture to Support Active Learning Spaces

MiEN Company, a furniture company serving the education industry, debuted four new furniture products to help institutions outfit active learning spaces.

Epoxy flooring at school in Texas.

Sustainability

Sustainable Flooring Solutions for High-Traffic Educational Facilities

Sustainable flooring is a smart choice for schools interested in providing a healthy learning environment and demonstrating their commitment to a better global environment.

College of the Redwoods

Sustainability

College of the Redwoods Approves Solar Deal

A community college in northern California has projected a savings of $4.2 million over the next 20 years from an implementation of solar.

Experiential Learning Yard. Image Credit: Clemson University Relations

Career Tech

Clemson Adds Outdoor Lab Site for Construction Science Students

A South Carolina university has just set up a three-acre site to give their construction students a permanent space for hands-on learning.

LIDaR map of a portion of the Northern Arizona University campus in Flagstaff.

Accessibility

Northern AZ U Tackles Accessibility Mapping Project

Northern Arizona University is working with Quantum Spatial, a geospatial data company, to develop an accessibility map to help people with mobility issues more easily navigate the hilly campus.

The new entrance for the University of Central Missouri

Rennovation

U Central MO Gets "Living Room" Makeover

The University of Central Missouri has gone public with an update on a multi-year masterplan for renovating the Elliott Student Union, dubbed as the "campus living room," by the university's community.

Student washing hands with touchless faucet.

Cleaning

How to Improve Infection Control and Handwashing in School Restrooms

How do you create a hygienic and safe environment equipped to handle everyday usage and increased handwashing activity by students, faculty, administration and staff? And, how do you improve the restroom experience to make it more appealing to its users?

Schools in Focus podcast logo and Tom Saccenti

Podcast

Schools In Focus: Active Shooter Response Planning

In this episode, we spoke to Tom Saccenti, a former campus police chief and security expert, about active shooter response planning in schools. His first piece of advice is to walk through an active shooter scenario with all teachers, janitors, staff members, etc. at the school.

Office spaces at Scott Hall.

Acoustics

Retrofitting University Buildings for Sound Masking

When a physical space offers a little passive noise control, such as high cubicle walls, private offices or softer, sound-absorbing materials, the effects on the well-being of each person — as well as their productivity — can be profoundly impacted.

The university reported that stage lighting will resemble that of a café. Photo by David Kadlubowski, GCU News Bureau

Spaces

Grand Canyon U Students Help Build COVID-safe Outdoor Theatre

Faculty, staff and students at Grand Canyon University's College of Fine Arts and Production have constructed an outdoor theatre for use this play season, which addresses COVID-19 restrictions while still allowing students (and their audiences) to enjoy live productions.

Custodial worker using an autovac. Courtesy of Kaivac.

Cleaning

Proper Mop Care and Other Floor-Cleaning Systems Amid COVID-19

Floors are too often overlooked when it comes to fighting the spread of infection. For many years, many hospital administrators did not even believe it was necessary to disinfect floors. Now we know better. Floors, as well as the tools used to clean floors, deserve close attention when it comes to minimizing the spread of coronavirus.  

COVID-19

COVID-19 Cases Spread on Campus Due to Housing Settings and Social Gatherings, CDC Reports

Two new reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conclude that COVID-19 is spreading on college campuses due to congregate housing, the increase of social gatherings, and disregard for mask wearing.