Greeley Elementary Outdoor Learning Environment
CHALLENGE
How can an outdoor learning environment better support the diverse ways in which children learn through play?
PROJECT
The PTO of Greeley Elementary School launched a project to reimagine the school’s outdoor play area. Emphasizing a lack of natural materials and the value of play in learning, the PTO partnered with us to redesign the outdoor space. Originally comprised of 80% hardscape and prescribed play equipment, we paired behavioral analysis, interview and workshop goals, and curricular influences to create a flexible and natural outdoor space.
VISIONING + PROGRAMMING • USER RESEARCH • COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS • ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
ROLE + COMPETENCIES:
ENGAGEMENT LEAD• RESEARCH + STRATEGY • WORKSHOP DESIGN + FACILITATION
Process Components
- Desk research on cognitive development and play as learning
- Observation of activities and behaviors in current outdoor area
- Interviews with parents, faculty and leadership
- Surveys distributed to parents, faculty and leadership
- Student Workshop exploring types of places children respond to and asking them to design an imaginary world for their outdoor area
- Faculty Workshop to explore types of places they see as valuable for students and asking them to define the types of uses they would use for teaching
- Family workshop and stakeholder sessions
Design
Rendering of outdoor classroom by Rebecca Freise at 4TonDream
Created in collaboration with TheThirdTeacher+. Teammates included Gustavo Mendoza (Design), Sarah Malin (Research), Emi Day (Code), Mary Cavanaugh & Jason Meyering (Quality Control).