This paper presents a campus tour assignment in a first-year undergraduate environmental studies course at York University, Toronto, Canada. As a pedagogical tool, the assignment enables students to interrogate the dominant narratives of a university's immediate physical spaces and to apply broader theoretical and practical concepts to their…

The importance of athletic fields has increased in today's society because of the popularity of sporting events. As a result, education administrators face challenges when dealing with their athletic facilities. Decisionmakers constantly are being second-guessed in regard to outdated, overused facilities and lack of budget. In this article, the…

Schools and universities recognize that many of the people and neighborhoods they serve expect education institutions to embrace environmental stewardship and sustainable design. Standards such as the LEED-registered facility program, managed by the U.S. Green Building Council, are receiving more attention. Schools can demonstrate their commitment…

Examines the major aspects of school grounds design and development. Focuses on a consultative case study involving the staff and the students in the Programs for Aboriginal and Islander Students at Salisbury. Contains details of the landscape design. (DDR)

Discusses school site planning and policies and the problem of school sprawl. Cutting down on free parking to help reduce school sprawl is explored as is why planners and educators should think about public accessibility when designing schools. (GR)

A landscaping approach aimed at integrating greatly contrasting building types and materials resulting from unplanned growth used these elements to create design continuity; paving, planting, landscape furniture, planting and lawn protection, signs, lights, placement of posters and notices, and bicycle racks. (MSE)

There are very few PFI projects in Japan that are specifically designed for education, but there are a few hybrid or complex PFIs that includes education in their facilities and services. In this article, the authors discuss the Ichikawa City Seventh District Junior High School building (an education PFI), which includes a school lunch room,…

Discusses incorporating green design into school construction, asserting that schools can improve their impact on the environment and reduce their operating costs while educating people about the value of sustainable design. Addresses energy reduction (including daylighting), site design for low environmental impact, flexible design, indoor air…

Examines general principles in designing child care centers and preschools: (1) design the site and building so that it has a friendly, child-like, inviting image; and (2) design child development environments to be child scaled, including furnishings, materials, the building, and the site as a whole. Contains criteria and suggestions for…

Outlines content of an extended inservice workshop (three hours credit, sixteen weeks, graduate level extension course) for professional school personnel which enables participants to take responsibility for improvements making their school site suitable for outdoor education activities. (NEC)

Notes that the location of any child care center is a key factor in its success. Provides four major objectives to consider when siting a center: (1) the center as a part of the community; (2) access and visibility; (3) desirable and undesirable surroundings; and (4) characteristics of the site itself. (SD)

Building a pond in a schoolyard is a rewarding way to help boost local populations of amphibians, to increase the natural value of school grounds, and to serve as a locale for observing the life cycles of plants, invertebrates, and amphibians. This article outlines important considerations in designing and building a pond from siting through…

Describes techniques to estimate costs to both physically improve a school facility and make it more educationally adequate. Discusses developing the space-utilization plan, designing for scheduling efficiency, and calculating costs for the site and specific facilities. (LMI)

Describes a wildlife garden developed on school grounds which converted a large, derelict quadrangle into an outdoor classroom used by staff across the curriculum. The area was divided into various habitats including ponds, mini-woodlands, herb garden, hedgerows, wildflower meadow, and bird borders. Preparatory work and projects generated are…

Details the post occupancy evaluation (POE) process for public buildings. POEs are used to improve design and optimize educational building and equipment use. The evaluation participants, the method used, the results and recommendations, model schools, and classroom alterations using POE are described. (9 references.) (RE)