Remaking the Minnewashta Outdoor Classroom By:Naomi,Elena,Lloyd,Sophia,Toby,Sarah,Brittany, Avery, Trey,Tucker,Josie and Victoria
Please select your role at Minnewashta. What would you like to see taught in and around the outdoor classroom? What types of landscaping would you like to see around the outdoor classroom? What changes would you like to see in the shelter? What season would you use the outdoor classroom.select all the apply? What else would you like the design team to consider when redesigning the outdoor classroom and the space surrounding it?
RESULTS
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The Current Space
How we planned After we reviewed the survey, we made a sketch with stuff people said they wanted in our design. Then, we looked at each others sketches, made notes on sticky notes to tell what we liked, and what could be improved. We did that to see some of our classmates ideas and to get more ideas for our group.
Working with local architects The next step we used was we talked to Mr. Anderson, a local architect. He talked about the making it comfortable, sustainability, budgeting, safety, and security. Since we had so many ideas Mr. Anderson had us go into groups and gather are ideas and draw them. When we were done we got to present them to our teammates with his guidance. When we did that it was like a funnel, we gathered our ideas to the ones we really needed. After that we had to think about the weather. Would it last, get damaged or be perfectly fine. That is why everything should be stuck on to the ground which also goes with safe, and secure.
Classroom Space In our Outdoor Classroom, there will be a white board, available for teachers to teach. The white board is going to block out the wind. There will also be six long tables available for everyone to use, including small or large groups. They can use the tables for any activities, such as art, writing, science, math, health, etc. If the 5th graders need to charge their ipad or if a teacher does we want to put in four outlets. One on each of the corner pole. People would use the outlets if someone with special needs uses an electronic, and it is out of battery.
How did you make it eco-friendly To use recycled materials we are going to use stumps from removed trees in the area. Another thing we will be using are the built-in benches that already exist in the space. For our bird houses we will be using any type of recycled materials to decorate them. We are considering adding a larger stump table in the center of the smaller stumps. We will use the existing tables and smooth them out by bolting smooth tops to the open holes.
Raised Garden Area On the outside of the Outdoor Classroom there will be two raised garden beds, cared for students. We will encourage the growth of local wildlife by planting pollinator-friendly plants. To water the raised garden beds there will be two rain barrels. We will put in a packed gravel pathway to prevent erosion of the grass. The grass will prevent earth erosion that is washing away the current ground.the bird houses are mostly for science classes, and for the birds to enjoy. There will also be a bird bath for the birds to use. To support further environmental health we will add a recycling can and a garbage can.
Accessible to all people We have talked about making it a peaceful place. Since we are a national peace site we plan on putting a peace path shaped as a butterfly. The wings of the butterfly would be the maze/ path, used to calm yourself down. You also have to think because there is only one way to solve the maze/ path. For people with special needs we are planing on having a smooth path, and no stairs. We will be putting in garden beds that will be wheelchair height. The white board is also going to be at table height to look at without having to stretch their necks
Working on the 3-D Model & the Digital Presentation We used recycled materials from the classroom, around our homes, and air-dry clay.
Thank you from the Minnewashta Design Team