Kansas City Kansas Public Schools 21st Century Learning Environments

Contact:

Tim de Noble

Phone: (785) 532-5950

Email: tdenoble@k-state.edu

Purpose of the Collaboration:

Since the APDesign partnership with Kansas City Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) began in 2016, Kansas City students have had the opportunity to be exposed to careers in architecture, planning and design. Students learn about ecosystem services provided by wetlands and grasslands through curriculum-coordinated outreach by APD and Arts and Sciences faculty. Community-based learning for all students in all departments of APDesign is at the heart of this partnership, and the partnership has been guided at every step by the needs of the KCKPS administration, teachers of the ACE (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering) Academy at JC Harmon High School, and needs of JC Harmon students through a participatory process.

Length of Partnership:

3 years

Community Partners:

KCKPS administration (USD 500), DLRGroup

Community Impact:

Through the partnership with APDesign, more than 250 KCKPS students have had the opportunity to learn about the design profession and study paths at APDesign. KCKPS benefits from free curriculum-based and enrichment programming and continuing faculty education that aligns to the district goal of all students matriculating with a career/vocation/education path plan. Students have also participated in real world design problems involving their neighborhood, school grounds, and building, leading to real world renovation of the JC Harmon school building entryway to include a flexible seating/gathering/study space of inspirational design quality.

Institutional Partners:

K-State College of Architecture, Planning and Design (APD): Departments of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Regional Community Planning, Interior Architecture and Product Design; College of Education

Institutional Impact:

The KCKPS partnership gives APDesign opportunity for community-based learning and RSCA (Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities), which includes intercultural competence learning, real world problem-solving, and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) strategies. A scholarly focus upon typologies of space for learning is extended to APD students and multiple grad student and faculty conference presentations have resulted from this partnership. A pending, collaborative faculty grant application between Landscape Architecture, Planning and Design and Arts and Sciences features funding for a future phase of the partnership focused upon ecosystem learning through observation and drawing. One APD faculty is also currently exploring expanded work with other schools in KCKPS.

Website:

https://apdesign.k-state.edu/about/publications/magazine/APDesign-Magazine-10-24.pdf