919 >> JUST FIVE
With Beth Kilburn CTE Interior Design Instructor Leesville Road High School
Collaborative Learning Space 1. What was the inspiration behind the project? The project is called From Locker Bay to Collaborative Learning Space and the inspiration was the Wake County School District 4C’s integration: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity and Critical Thinking. We wanted to create a space that our students and teachers could use to foster the 4C’s outside the traditional classroom space.
2. Who created the concept and completed the project? It was a trend of the District and through discussions, we realized we could be one of those schools. It came together through the work of students, staff and administration. An original team of six students from our Interior Design program and our Drafting/Architectural Drawing program worked on the design of the space for about one year. As time went on, more students were added, and some students graduated. Once the design was district approved, work could begin.
3. How was the project funded? Part of the project was funded through Wake County Schools, and the remainder through the 4C’s Grant from WCPSS. These monies were awarded for projects that combined all four of the C’s together with student work.
4. What are the next steps? At this time, the renovation of the space itself is complete. We are awaiting furniture which has been ordered and should arrive soon! Teachers and students are already utilizing the space for class meetings and so on.
5. What was the overall goal of the project? The goal of the project was to create a space for students and staff to work together in a space that could hold more than one class. The space needed to lend itself to student comfort in a way that helps them express their creativity and work together. Sometimes regular classroom design can be constraining as far as collaboration goes, and we wanted to offer the students a welcoming space to use.
40
919 Magazine
November/December 2017