A4E STEM Brochure

STEM: Pathways to Learning

Designing for the Future

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RIVERPARK WEST, K-8 STEAM SCHOOL NEW CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION RIO SCHOOL DISTRICT OXNARD, CALIFORNIA Using the metaphor of a meandering river, this new K-8 site features buildings formed around a central waterway. Over time, a river’s ‘meander’ takes different paths; this concept is embodied in multiple learning spaces and STEAAM centers, following a pathway based on students’ developmental ages.

Student growth and development mirror the course of the meander - both evolving and changing over time. Our client’s STEAAM school is designed to showcase hands-on learning, helping each student to discover and pursue their educational / professional vocations.

Curriculum offerings will center on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Agriculture, and Math. ‘The River ’ thematically grounds the school’s approach to education, drawing on the nearby river and flood control channel as sources of outdoor study inspiration. Learning environments will encourage tinkering and lingering - continuing work with long-term projects in alignment with the campus curriculum. Facilitating the projectbased learning activities are Workshops, connected directly to the classroom environment. These workshops encompass a variety of interior and exterior spaces.

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MEDIA

READING

BUILDING NATURE

THEATER

CERAMICS

MATH

COMMUNITY

SCIENCE

BUILDING MAKERSPACE

READING MAKERSPACE Casework, writable walls, and hard and soft surface floors provide ample storage and flexibility for all activities. Each classroom is identified by a unique color.

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PERFORMANCE MAKERSPACE The grand staircase doubles as an amphitheater and stage to encourage impromptu and curriculum based performances. The juliet balcony can be used for both performances and experiments alike. There is even a control booth for student hands-on learning. Large window walls open every classroom up to the bright and active makerspace.

ART & CERAMICS MAKERSPACE Tackable and writable wall surfaces, and plenty of perimeter storage keeps the Makerspace open. Potters wheels are easily stored when not in use. Large folding window walls open the interior space to the exterior patio where students can draw and learn about native plants and insects.

SCIENCE MAKERSPACE Celebrating Chumash history and culture, a “Window to the World” showcases an indigenous tomol displayed in the STEM Center’s bright and open double-height space.

The moveable science demonstration table and furniture allow for flexibilty, while the perimeter casework and sinks are fixed.

This space is shared by all and fosters collaborative and hands-on learning.

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CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION CULINARY ARTS AND DESIGN & ENGINEERING ACADEMIES RIALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT RIALTO, CALIFORNIA In partnership with our client’s community-based Career Technologies Planning Committee, we developed a Master Plan for optimal site utilization, transforming a closed middle school campus into a contemporary Culinary Technical Education (CTE) Center.

A4E also developed the Educational Specifications and prototypical layouts for the Culinary Arts Academy and a Design / Engineering Academy. We helped Rialto USD to qualify for and receive an unprecedented two CTE grants from the State for this landmark project.

The Center’s learning environments are reflective of contemporary industry standards and professional practices.

Students work on production teams and assume ‘real world’ roles, learning the dynamics of professional interaction and responsibility.

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OUTDOOR MAKERSPACE MODERNIZATION RIO SCHOOL DISTRICT & FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS OXNARD, CALIFORNIA A4E employed a variety of planning and finance strategies to author a comprehensive Master Plan for the Rio School District (RSD).

In conformance with the Master Plan, RSD is renovating every campus, establishing contemporary learning environments at each school, and opening STEAM Centers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) that access indoor and outdoor learning spaces.

A4E designed a Prototype Outdoor Classroom for all 8 campuses integrating new light fixtures, shade structures, seating, demonstration table, low-maintenance materials and plants, and teaching walls. The Prototype will be incorporated across 8 campuses to promote equity, collaboration to expand learning and teaching possibilities. The outdoor maker spaces are designed for “hands dirty� learning and built in flexibility to continue your art, robotics lab or biology class outside.

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The Living Lab & Outdoor Makerspaces

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TRANSFORMATION OF AN EXISTING CAMPUS Modernization and new construction projects at the high school campuses across the District were prioritized to incorporate small learning communities and a STEM curriculum. Initial facility goals were established using a collaborative Participatory Planning Process, including the District Core Group and Campus Steering Committees.

Changing circulation in and around each building allows corridors to be used for meetings or project research.

Decentralized curriculum, counseling and administration offer a support network directly “in the midst” of students’ daily lives. The Small Learning Communities are maintained in the cohesive whole of a comprehensive high school environment, with its own identity and traditions, providing an ideal setting for team teaching or informal learning activities.

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LEGEND 1 THE LAB 2 ART 3 MEDIA

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4 LECTURE 5 PROJECT RM 6 FLEX

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SPECIALTY STEAM CENTERS Students were meeting their University of California A-G admissions requirements via television broadcasting and set design experience. We encouraged the district to apply for a CDE grant to build a state-of-the-art television studio. The grant was approved, resulting in construction of the Digital Arts

Studio. The District currently rents the space to local commercial operations for TV, movie, and recording studio work, maximizing financial resources for direct student benefit.

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Preserving the Environment

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INDOOR / OUTDOOR STEAM The learning experience at this K-12 Charter School is enhanced by the provision of theme-based work centers that each classroom cluster surrounds. Every space facilitates learning throughout the campus environment, utilizing structural elements, building materials, and building systems as integral parts of the learning process.

The High School is the most collegiate and industrial building on campus, reflecting the age group that inhabits it. The extra wide hallway creates the Student Union with break-out group spaces, lounge furniture, and flexible space for classrooms to spill out into. A roof garden patio is directly accessible from the science centers, extending the STEM curriculum to the outdoors.

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POROUS CLUSTERS Organized around a central spine, this new 114,000 SF school for 850 students has sustainable planning that bends to take advantage of vast rural vistas.

Classroom clusters plug into the main organizing element, a central barn-like space. Configured around a resource area, each classroom cluster is themed to showcase a different educational component of the STEAM curriculum. Each classroom has a large sectional roll-up door, maximizing the connection between classroom and resource area.

An historical timeline for wayfinding and learning weaves through the space, lockers foster interaction between classes, and varied types of learning spaces allow for STEAM freedom and flexibility. These spaces integrate with each porous cluster while also giving a unique identity to each.

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Ready for the Future

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ARCHITECTURE FOR EDUCATION INC. 41 NORTH FAIR OAKS PASADENA, CA 91103 626-356-4080 626-356-3080 F www.architecture4e.com