SMART thinking!

Thanks to the folks at Adolfson & Peterson Construction for this information: This free K-12 toolkit for schools that want to go green. The Green Existing Schools Toolkit and accompanying training resources will help schools and school districts green their existing portfolio of facilities and achieve LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance certification.  Included in the toolkit are a Green Existing Schools Project Management Guide (PDF) and a Green Existing Schools Implementation Workbook (PDF). These resources provide guidance, best practices, policy, and planning templates to assist school officials in seeking LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M certification, and are designed to be used in concert with additional resources contained in the Green Existing Schools Toolkit.

Recycled Bus Parts Make Fun New Bus Stops

Spotted on The Design Blog:  designer Christopher Fennell is bringing new life and a creative, fun twist to bus stops by reusing old bus parts.  We applaud this SMART (and sustainable) thinking!

Tree Pod School in the UK

From the website Inhabitat.com….”Recently the Elleray Preparatory School in the UK unveiled an incredible set of tree-top classrooms. Situated in the Lake District National Park, the three green-built class pods stand on stilts connected by a center platform made from recycled materials. Built to have a low impact on the environment while accommodating the school’s expanding student body, the Treehouse School is sure to inspire all the children the walk through its doors.”

The project is designed by Kita Design Company

Boardwalk and Viewing platform over the tidal marsh at Tabor Marine Science Center by NCA Architects

This link spotted by Christopher Grimes, Director of Facilities Development at Roseville Joint Union High School District.  The Tabor Marine Center for Marine and Nautical Sciences is a 7,500 square foot facility that provides Tabor students direct access to the study of marine life in the Sippican Harbor for 9-12 students. The project is designed by NCA architects. Students have hands on access to marine life which is studied in the large wet lab and then returned to the sea.

Thanks to Schooldesigner.com for providing information on their 2nd Annual Collabetition Winners!

Totally flexible projection screen, pin up boards and whiteboards can be moved anywhere in the room on the wall-mounted rails

Diagram illustrates wall system

Teachers spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to maximize wall space while still keeping it flexible to work in small groups, large group, and a variety of other configurations.  This wall system allows rooms to be easily changed from one configuration to another.

As the SIS folks demonstrate, each component can be lifted and moved by teachers and even students! No calling maintenance for rearranging the boards.  Great idea and definitely SMART thinking!