Getting started
This is our first design of the classroom layout from which the classroom was planned. Time was generously donated by Stephanie Boza, an architect working with RDAI who helped the team get started and presented several designs. There is a presentation zone, various collaboration zones, an exchange and development zone and a creative zone. Students are able to work in twos or in bigger groups. All the furniture is flexible and can be moved around depending on the activities or projects. We purchased some new furniture (tables with wheels, some soft seating) but the majority was recycled and given a different look. The objectives of this future classroom lab are to facilitate collaborative multidisciplinary projects and to inspire students to learn through the introduction of innovative learning approaches in a creative environment. A secondary objective includes creating opportunities particularly for girls to discover new areas of interest and career options. The tools available to students include tablets, a multiuser interactive board, MP3 players, flip cameras and green screen technology. The room is equipped with wifi.
For the future classroom lab we took over an old unused technology classroom. It's a great size and is good for future technology-related projects. We received a donation from Gleeds, France a Paris firm for the purchase of an interactive board. We are very appreciative of this donation and we hope to have other partners. We are also very grateful to have received help from Stephanie Boza, architect working with RDAI who produced initial plans for the lab.