Outdoor Learning Playscape Project

• 1. Outdoor Learning Playscape Design Fairmont Private Schools Anaheim Hills Campus Phoenix Infinite Design Team November 6, 2009

2.

• Imagine a classroom with sky for a ceiling and earth for a floor. A room without walls or desks, where young scientists explore the world of bugs; mathemeticians measure rainfall; budding writers record their observations; and actors rehearse on a natural stage.

• -Boston Schoolyard Initiative

3. Phoenix InfiniteDesign Goals:

• Create a space that meets and exceeds the requirements of the Nature Explore Program.

• Utilize sustainable materials and methods, in the design process and the end product.

• Create a flow through the space, naturally integrating each separate element into a cohesive whole.

• Create a space that enables the fusion of play and learning, observation and interaction, motion and quiet reflection.

• Design in a way that allows for the community (parents, students, faculty/staff) to be involved in the building, maintenance and ongoing creative adaptations of the area.

• • Additional Elements:

• • Rainwater Catchment

• • On-site Composting

• • Native and Edible Plants

4. Project Site Anaheim Hills Campus 5. Entry Sound Garden Water Garden Big Top/ Movement Frolic Field/ Big Active Growing Garden Art Grove &Builders Shop Sand Pit & Messy Bowl Land of Possibility: Climbing/Crawling DinosaurGarden Storage &Composting Bike Trail/ Tunnel Gathering/Stage Gardeners HutFairmont Private Schools Anaheim Hills Campus Phoenix Infinite Design: Eiko Hamada-Ano Linda Howard Jenna Wadsworth McCarty 2009 Phoenix Infinite 6. Entry Feature 7. Sound Garden 8. Gathering / Stage Area 9. Water Garden 10. Entry Sound Garden Water Garden Big Top/ Movement Frolic Field/ Big Active Growing Garden Art Grove &Builders Shop Sand Pit & Messy Bowl Land of Possibility: Climbing/Crawling DinosaurGarden Storage &Composting Bike Trail/ Tunnel Gathering/Stage Gardeners HutFairmont Private Schools Anaheim Hills Campus Phoenix Infinite Design: Eiko Hamada-Ano Linda Howard Jenna Wadsworth McCarty 2009 Phoenix Infinite 11. Big Top for Movement 12. Frolic Field: Big Active Area 13. Land of Possibility:Crawling/Climbing Area 14. Crawling/ClimbingArea(Continued) 15. Dinosaur Garden 16. Sand Pit & Messy Bowl 17. Bike Trail/Tunnel 18. Entry Sound Garden Water Garden Big Top/ Movement Frolic Field/ Big Active Growing Garden Art Grove &Builders Shop Sand Pit & Messy Bowl Land of Possibility: Climbing/Crawling DinosaurGarden Storage &Composting Bike Trail/ Tunnel Gathering/Stage Gardeners HutFairmont Private Schools Anaheim Hills Campus Phoenix Infinite Design: Eiko Hamada-Ano Linda Howard Jenna Wadsworth McCarty 2009 Phoenix Infinite 19. The Growing Garden 20. The Growing Garden: Gardeners Hut 21. The Art Grove& Builders Shop 22. Additional Features:Rainwater Harvesting, Infiltration Estimated Water Catchment in a 1 inch storm,With a 1000 sq. foot roof = 600 gallons 23. Discussion

• If this design were to come to life, how would you imagine using this space?

• What are the strengths of the design?

• Is there anything you dontlike or could be improved?

• Is anything missing?

24. Phoenix Infinite Design Team

• Eiko Hamada-Ano

• Linda Howard

• Jenna Wadsworth McCarty

25. Nature ExploreCertification Program

• Well-designed outdoor space:

• • Provide evidence principles from the Learning with Nature Idea Book were used in the design. For annual renewal, provide evidence of annual maintenance.

• Staff development:

• • Provide evidence that staff have attended a full-length Nature Explore Workshop. For annual renewal, provide evidence of professional development relating to nature education.

• Family involvement:

• • Provide evidence that activities or materials designed to increase family awareness and involvement in nature education for young children are provided regularly.

26. Nature Explore10 Guiding Principles

• • Recommended Areas:

• • Try to include all of these areas.

• • • Entry feature

• • • Open area for large motor activities

• • • Climbing/crawling area

• • • Messy materials area

• • • Building area

• • • Nature art area

• • • Music and movement area

• • • Garden

• • • Gathering area

• • • Storage area

• • Supplemental Areas:

• • Try to include at least one of these areas.

• • • Water area

• • • Dirt-digging area

• • • Sand area

• • • Wheeled-toy area

• • • Area for swings or other dynamic equipment

• • • Greenhouse

• Divide the space into clearly delineated areas

• Include a complete mix of activity areas:

27. Nature Explore10 Guiding Principles

• Give areas simple names.

• Identify each area with a sign or other visual clues.

• Every area should be visible at all times.

• Use a variety of natural materials, including trees and other live plants.

• Choose elements for durability and low maintenance.

• Maximize beauty and visual clarity in the over-all design.

• Personalize the design with regional materials, and ideas from children and staff.

• Be sure the space meets all regulatory standards for your region.

28. Ongoing Considerations

• Construction Phases

• Curricular Applications

• Purchased

• Materials

• Donated

• Budgeting

• Professional-Build

• Construction

• Volunteer-Build

29. Community Built

• Added Steps:

• Awareness/Interest Building/Collaboration

• Survey Resources and Wishes

• Integrate Involvement

• Added Value:

• Heightened Sense of Ownership and Loyalty

• Dedicated and Organized School CommunityMembers

• Broader Pool of Resources

• Practice of Participation and Partnering

• Monetary Savings

• Greater Chance of Overall Success of Program

30. Community Built

• Resources and Wants:

• People are Resources: Artists, Builders, Writers, International Travelers, Gardeners, the list goes on

• Integrate Involvement:

• During Construction of Site, Collection of Special Materials, Donation of Funds OR Parts, Leadership/Ideas/Talent from skilled parties

• Post-Construction, Continue involvement in Maintenance, Improvement, Curricular Applications, Enhancement.