Last Thursday, 2nd Green Revolution attended the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Colorado chapter’s Green Schools Summit. Organized by the USGBC and sponsored by Solatube, The Governor’s Energy Office (of Colorado), Saunders Construction, Inc., and GE Johnson Construction Company (along with several smaller sponsors), the conference covered a broad range of topics within the field of green schools. The presenters included architects, educators, graduate students, and engineers. The first presentation of the day, delivered by an architect from the British firm Gensler, focused on the “International Perspective,” (available as a PDF in 3 parts – 1, 2, 3). Within this umbrella of the international perspective (how other nations are approaching green building in school settings), the lecture specifically looked at buildings as a catalyst for change.
The buildings included in the presentation are multi-functional. They have several “green” features such as day lighting, acoustic paneling, and reclaimed/recycled products, but the most revolutionary feature is the cutting edge instructional programs that are enabled by the design (i.e. buildings as a catalyst for change). The structures allowed for flexibility, but perhaps more importantly they have positively impacted pedagogy, enabling learner-centered classrooms and best practices in education to thrive. Because the structures are designed for multiple uses, multi-age grouping, and student-centered classrooms, they reflect current research in how people learn. Open spaces allow for project based learning, with a focus on collaborative work, often difficult in the older, cramped classrooms of mid to late 20th century schools.
If schools are to lead and develop tomorrow’s innovators and decision makers, green schools offer a wonderful teaching tool and example of what today’s architects and builders can produce. These green schools can 1) inspire students to participate in the green economy, 2) act as curricular tools, and 3) spur today’s youth to continue the second green revolution. Furthermore, they epitomize efficient structures that improve indoor air quality and student achievement.
[image source: USGBC Colorado]
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