How to create a flexible environment to support STEM learning in schools
Well-designed spaces within schools that inspire students to use their imagination and creativity result in highly engaging learning environments. In this post, we teamed up with education specialist, Laura Liguori, to explore what makes an inspiring STEM learning environment in schools.
Laura is an educator and school leader with over 15 years’ experience in UK and international schools. She is passionate about continually developing the education landscape, implementing innovative and forward-thinking approaches that benefit today’s learners.
STEM learning in schools today
STEM learning has advanced significantly over the last decade. Coding applications, artificial intelligence programmes, robotics and virtual reality are embedded within world-class international schools and progressive schools, globally. Traditional computer labs have been replaced with flexible learning centres, using one-to-one devices rather than cumbersome desktops. Wifi is available throughout schools and campuses. Students are free to code, build robots, delve into the world of virtual reality and AI anywhere within their settings.
So, we ask - what are the most effective designs for ensuring that students learn whilst having freedom to learn anywhere?
Learning from Google’s office environments
Google, Inc. designers incorporated three types of spaces to spark innovation:
Those designed for deep focus work
Areas to support collaboration and meetings
Spaces to build community
Work areas included comfortable reclining seats, soft furnishings, bright colours and cleverly designed architecture. Laura explains how she has used this research in her school settings: “As a leader of STEM education over the last decade, I have adopted Google’s approach within classrooms at international schools in Asia, Africa, and Europe. My aim was to create learning environments that foster soft skills required for careers of the future. Risk-taking is one of the core attributes students need in order to be truly innovative. Allowing students agency to create learning spaces that make them feel relaxed, happy, and empowered encourages risk-taking. Progressive approaches to STEM learning are essential. In the words of Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, “Focus on education is a big strength. I want to see young people focus on creativity and take more risks.”
Laura has further examples of setting up learning environments to support STEM learning. Through trial and error, she has discovered what works (and what doesn’t) and why: “At the Canadian International School of Hong Kong, I led the one of the first one to one robotics trials in the city. Each child in my Year 6 class was given a robot to build and to use as a learning tool across subjects. The first step I took was to assess the current learning environment.
“Tables of the same size and height and hard plastic chairs were not conducive to embarking on a fully integrated approach to STEM in the classroom. Students felt restricted, uncomfortable and anxious because this was their first attempt at building and coding robots to demonstrate their conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts. Collaboration, communication, resilience, and perseverance are key to ensuring that children acquired 21st century skills.
“Having asked for a small budget, I ordered bean bags, a sofa, small lamps, and additional space for the children to move around. At this time, Eden’s Bright and Comfortable Soft Seating collection would have been ideal!”
Laura reflects on what she learnt from the changes she made to her learning spaces and the impact it had on her pupils: “The results of the pilot showed that the bean bags I purchased did not provide enough structure or support for a child to sit comfortably, especially older children. The sofa did not encourage communication or collaboration because children were seated side by side in a row of three, whilst other members of the group were on the floor on flat small cushions. To establish equitable collaboration within small groups, alternative, high-quality, soft furnishings were needed.”
How Eden’s Essentials Soft Seating supports STEM learning
Laura explains that if she’d had the opportunity to create an ideal STEM learning environment using Eden’s Bright and Comfortable Soft Seating collection, the learning space would have been designed differently from how she designed it for her Year 6 class back then.
Laura’s experience and insights show how our range of soft seating can effectively support STEM learning. Here, Laura explains exactly how she would create the ideal learning space to support innovation and creativity in STEM.
Supporting collaborative learning through paired work
“To foster collaboration and direct communication I would select a corner of the classroom where there was sufficient space to arrange Two Seater Bean Ovals for paired work, whereby two smaller children could sit together comfortably and code viewing each other’s device screens and checking their code to ensure it was meeting the learning objective – whether that be to create an animation or to code a robot to move.”
Supporting group work in STEM
“For larger children working in groups of 4 to 6, the Primary Smile Chairs would be ideal to arrange in a circle to foster communication and collaboration between children, resting comfortably and securely while holding their devices on their laps.”
Comfortable, flexible seating for STEM activities
“Adding Posture Wedges to existing classroom seating would encourage correct posture and minimise aches when coding sessions required longer periods of concentration. Carry Cushions would be ideal for children to be at floor level with their robots, sitting comfortably while observing the path the robot takes as it moves in the desired direction. Carry Cushions could easily be used in large learning spaces or corridors then stacked after use.”
Seating to support whole-class discussions in STEM
“Teachers will find the Bean Seat Pods would are suitable for whole class discussions, to create a more relaxing environment when debugging code and re-engineering robots.”
The use of Eden’s products coupled with softer lighting and music for concentration, would create an ideal STEM learning environment that resembles innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Portable furnishings are also cost effective, reducing the need for pricier standing tables, or tables with wheels which schools use to create flexible learning environments.
Also, Eden’s products allow educators to demonstrate their own creativity by innovating spaces for learning that are not traditional and facilitate the development of 21st century skills. Home learning since the pandemic has become widespread. As Laura asks, should we not be preparing children for workplaces of the future which include remote and hybrid working spaces which are more comfortable and conducive to productivity than seating in traditional office spaces?
The future of flexible learning spaces to support STEM in schools
We can’t thank Laura enough for her valuable insights, and fully support her vision of supporting learners to thrive through their physical learning environment. We’d like to end this post with her words: “Giving students the agency to create their own flexible learning spaces leads to innovation, which is at the core of STEM learning. As Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget said, “The goal of education is not to increase the amount of knowledge but to create the possibilities for a child to invent and discover, to create [people] who are capable of doing new things.” Following this ethos, and creating those possibilities through flexible learning spaces, educators will be amazed to see what children today can achieve preparing them to reach their greatest aspirations, in the future.”
At Eden Learning Spaces, we provide products which enhance learning environments and improve educational outcomes. View our full product range here or contact our team to discuss how our products can improve your space.
