NYC Cause and Effect

The economy may be causing schools to tighten their belts, but many companies are stepping up to the plate and helping to fill the gap. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been hearing about a number of exciting projects that have gotten underway, all geared toward providing better learning environments for our students. Many of these projects would not be happening without the generous support of many companies and individuals who wholeheartedly support education.

This summer, the New York City Department of Education embarked on an innovative learning project for 80 middle school students called the “School of One.” Their goal was to provide these students with personalized, effective and dynamic classroom instruction that was customized to their individual academic needs and learning styles. Instead of a traditional one-teacher and 25 student classroom model, each student participated in a combination of teacher-led instruction, one-on-one tutoring, independent learning and work with virtual tutors. This means that students in the same classroom can receive profoundly different instruction — tailored to their needs and the way they learn best. Intrinsic to the design of this flexible learning-style program was the need for flexible furnishings. The HON Company stepped up to the plate and provided the furniture for this exciting new project. The educational results of this program are still being reviewed, but indications are that it was extremely successful.

On the other side of the country, Brighten a Life, an Arizona nonprofit organization that produces eco-friendly projects, has launched its Green Schoolhouse Series. The organization is partnering with manufacturers, architects and some of the nation’s leading construction firms that are donating time and materials to build schoolhouses on existing campuses. These healthy, environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, stand-alone buildings can be used as added classroom space during the day to facilitate educational after-school programs in the afternoons, and for nonprofit and community groups on nights and weekends. Of their first four schoolhouses to be built, the first two buildings will be constructed on the campus of Maricopa County Community College’s new Rio Salado Charter High School. The second two are being built on two Phoenix local middle and elementary school sites that applied to receive them as grants.

Thanks to all of you who participate in programs like these!

Featured

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    The San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) in San Mateo, Calif., recently announced the completion of two new athletics facilities: a new gymnasium at Burlingame High School, and a new athletic training complex at San Mateo High School, according to a news release.

  • Pudu Robotics Launches AI-Powered, Large-Scale Floor Sweeper

    Pudu Robotics recently launched the newest member of its MT1 series of robotic floor sweepers, the PUDU MT1 Max, according to a news release. The AI-powered, 3D perception robotic sweeper was designed for use in large, complex cleaning environments both indoors and semi-outdoors, like parking garages and semi-open building atriums.

  • Designing School Spaces for A++ Performance

    In recent years, the educational world has gained greater appreciation for the ways a space’s aesthetics, just like its acoustics, can positively impact educational outcomes. Consequently, engineering, designing, and constructing a school environment demands acoustics to be equally an art and a science, requiring architects and designers to see with their ears, while acousticians must hear with their eyes.

  • Fellowes Launches New 3D Modular, Product Configurators

    Contract interiors and architectural solutions provider Fellowes recently announced the launch of new 3D modular and product configurators for several of its product lines, according to a news release. The new products offer SIF file integration and pricing for the Volo, Markerboards, Sena, and Rising product lines in connection with 3D Cloud, which provides 3D product visualization and 3D digital asset management.