Makerspaces

Sharing the Simulated Work Experience

Series Part 1: Higher Education to K-12

by Pierre Theriot, Jr., AIA, A4LE

Work-based learning has always been the essence of a career and technical education. It allows students to implement the knowledge obtained in the classroom with the goal of developing skills that will be used in the real world. These immersive work-based learning environments provide simulated tools and workplaces to create an authentic backdrop for learning career-readiness skills valued by employers. These places replicate experiences of realistic worksite activity. In this effort, the production of employable graduates has been very successful.

In our previous article, we touched on the subject of Immersive Learning. We demonstrated that successful models for this emerge around a simulated work environment where an atmosphere of association, attachment, and accomplishment can be achieved so that students can have the greatest opportunity to succeed. The methodologies and resources which have long been made available within higher education learning environments have, in recent times, found their way into the K-12 learning model. The term “Makerspace” has been widely used to encapsulate a similar approach to the immersive work-based learning environments of higher education with an open invitation for sharing and collaboration. The desired result is the same; provide a place where students can have the greatest opportunity to succeed. The outcome of educational makerspaces leads to determination, independence and creative problem solving, and authentic preparation for the real world through simulating real-world challenges.

The Northshore Technical Community College, Walker Campus by Holly & Smith Architects

Authentic Work-Based Learning Environment

An example of an authentic work-based learning environment can be seen at the Northshore Technical Community College, Walker campus.  High fidelity and low fidelity nursing simulation spaces were created. All the resources typically found in a real hospital room are provided within the teaching space. Transparency into the spaces is provided for class observation, and enough space is provided for group collaboration.

The Northshore Technical Community College, Walker Campus by Holly & Smith Architects

At Delgado’s River City Site and Advanced Manufacturing Center, several spaces are designed to facilitate industry-like training with state-of-the-art equipment and collaborative work environments.

The Delgado River City Site and Advanced Manufacturing Center by Holly & Smith Architects

Many of these simulated work environments would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of industry partners.  The types of training spaces that are being provided are often stimulated by growing business and industry.  Partnerships with technical and career colleges make this happen.  A quote from LCTCS’ website says it all, “The work we do is driven by the work you do.”

The Advanced Manufacturing Lab at the SLU Science & Technology Building, by Holly & Smith Architects

Another example of this realistic worksite environment can be seen in the new Innovation Lab located in the newly constructed Science and Technology Building at Southeastern Louisiana University.  The development of this space was funded by a local industry leader in digital marketing & software development, ENVOC. The goal is to provide a work-like environment for senior students at Southeastern as an extension of ENVOC's company culture and mission to create a better reality. The space is designed for the students to create, connect, work, and share ideas. The standard student desks were removed and replaced with collaborative furniture that gives students a palette of place (to choose where they work) and a palette of posture (to choose if they want to work sitting, lounging, standing).  The space is available to students of multiple disciplines across the university as a shared resource.

Focused Individual Work
The ENVOC Innovation Lab at the SLU Science & Technology Building, by Holly & Smith Architects

The evolution of the higher education makerspace has evolved from one that is focused on a specific class or instructional activity, such as a lab, to one that is shared by a larger population of a college or university. Higher education academic makerspaces create a culture and community within. The underlying culture of makerspaces is one of collaboration, sharing, and innovation. Sharing one’s work with others creates an open community and collaborative culture in which participants are excited to assist one another and willingly exchange design knowledge. The open nature of these spaces promotes the potential for collisions of ideas that have benefited many industries. The images below illustrate a few examples of these shared maker spaces.

Collaboration Commons at SLU, Science & Technology Building by Holly & Smith Architects

Murray Hall Makerspace: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by BHDP Architecture

The Foundry, a Maker Space at Duke University, Lord Aeck Sargent Architects

This new attitude about space and how it fosters these attributes has also expanded into the consciousness of K-12 learning methodologies.  In Part 2 of Makerspaces, we will take a closer look at makerspaces in K-12 learning environments.   We will discuss topics of What? and Why? and what it means to have a “constructivist education." So stay tuned.., we’re just getting started.

H/S EXPERIENCE

As human beings, we spend our personal and professional time within the built environment. As Architects, we are privileged to create spaces where people can gather, live, learn, work, eat, sleep, and worship. Therefore, it is incumbent that we design spaces that enhance the quality of life and nurture a greater passion for living. Our design approach is influenced by the environment, culture, and community in which architecture exists. To take it further... We Design for Life.

Pierre Theriot is a principal at Holly & Smith Architects.  He is a member of the Louisiana Chapter of the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) and Design Director for Holly & Smith Architects.