The document provides guidance on designing modern STEM learning environments that embrace hands-on, collaborative, and active learning. It discusses considering the school's culture and mission, focusing the space on inspiring inquiry and innovation in teams. Key aspects to consider include collaboration, active learning, inquiry, technology, different learning zones, displaying student work, and flexibility. The document offers questions to guide planning the space, features, instructor and student needs.

1. Aaron Maurer
@coffeechugbooks
coffeeforthebrain.com

2. Does Tradition Impact Your Reality?

3. How Can Modern Learning
Environments Embrace the
STEM Mindset?

5. Choice

6. Access to Materials

7. Movement

8. Flexibility

17. Step 1
How does your learning space reflect the culture and
mission and vision of your school/district?

18. What Are Your Verbs?

20. Design Principles of STEM Lab/
Makerspace/Learning Space
• Consider these aspects
• Collaboration
• Active Learning
• Inquiry
• Technology

21. Think about these 3
• Traditional Lecture
• Lab Space/Computer Area
• Workshop

22. Design Focus
• Space should inspire students
to inquire, think, investigate,
and innovate in teams

23. Considerations
• What subjects will be taught in the space?
• What other activities will be completed in the space?
• Which students and teachers will use the space?
• At what times will the space be used?
• What tools and technologies will the space require?

24. Does your space allow
students to
• Define problems
• Create solutions
• Market their ideas

25. Core Themes
Everything is connected

27. Core Theme 2
Anytime Teaching - all subjects, transparent
structures, raw materials, student work on display

29. Core Theme 3
Learning Happens By Doing - flexible zones, hands
on learning, experimentation, adaptability

30. Facility Considerations
• How many students are expected to use the STEM lab at one time?
• How much power will be needed to operate the STEM lab?
• How will students and teachers access power (e.g., wall outlets, floor outlets)?
• Do existing building features such as doorways, load-bearing walls, or
ventilation need to be designed around?
• What safety features and equipment must be embedded in STEM lab design
based on its intended functions?
• How much and what kind of lighting, plumbing, and other utilities will the
STEM lab require?
• Is there a specific timeline on which construction must be completed?

31. Lab Features
• Where will computers and other equipment be placed in the STEM lab?
• Will students share equipment or have one-to-one technology?
• Will the STEM lab have a central staging and instructional area for teachers to
provide whole group instruction or demonstrations?
• What types of work stations (e.g., individual, group) will be required?
• How many of each work station type should be built?
• What kinds of equipment and materials will be stored in the STEM lab?
• How much storage space is needed?
• Do any equipment items or materials (e.g., chemicals) need secure storage space?

32. Instructor Preferences
• What kind of workspace (e.g., stationary desk, mobile cart) will teachers need?
• What instructional practices (e.g., lecture, one-to-one student conferencing)
will the STEM lab space need to support?
• What instructional technologies will teachers need to support student learning?
• What kinds of furniture (e.g., fixed, mobile) should the STEM lab have?
• Will teachers emphasize individual work or group work, or will they balance
both approaches?
• How many teams will teachers typically divide students into?
• Will teachers have clear sight lines to monitor students at all times?

33. Student Characteristics
• What age are the students who will be the primary users of the lab
space?
• Should work spaces be adjustable to accommodate the heights of
multiple age groups?
• What features are necessary to make facilities accessible to all
students with disabilities?
• Will students require additional storage of personal items (e.g.,
backpacks, purses)?
• Will students be able to see and hear their peers and teachers at
all times?

35. Organization

39. Dot Stickers
• Green = use and keep
• Yellow = use and return
• Red = adult supervision

49. Mathematical Tables
Different Sizes for Different Configurations