1. CREATING A
S.T.E.M. LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT
Daniel Curry, AIA, LEED AP
Associate
Quinn Evans Architects

2.  21st Century Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Math
 Project Based and Active Learning
 Interdisciplinary
S.T.E.M. AND 21ST CENTURY LEARNING
1 2

3. GOALS OF 21ST CENTURY
LEARNING
 Preparedness for the 21st C. workplace
 Global Awareness
 Environmental Literacy
 Information and Media Literacy
A vision for learning environments where
students engage in critical inquiry, collaborative
problem solving, and the integration and
transfer of knowledge across disciplines.
3
4

4. THE 4 C’S
 Communication
 Collaboration
 Critical Thinking
 Creativity
5 6
7 8 9

5. TYPES OF S.T.E.M. LEARNING
ACTIVITIES
 Data Analysis and
Visualization
 Computer Sciences
 Engineering
 Forensics
 Experimentation
 Design Labs
 Co-creation
 Media/Content Creation
 Programming
10
11

6.  Science Lab
 Robotics Lab
 Fabrication Lab
 Distance Learning Lab
 Collaboration Rooms
 Decision Theater
 Media Production Lab
TYPES OF S.T.E.M. LEARNING
ENVIRONMENTS
12
14
13

7. CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL
S.T.E.M. LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
 Careful Consideration of Dedicated
Spaces vs. Multi Use Spaces
 Fosters Collaboration
 Promotes Innovation and Creativity
 Set Expectations
 Flexible Technology and Furnishings
 BYOD
 Access to Information
 Ample Storage for Students and
Teachers

8. SYSTEMS
 Lighting
 HVAC
 Water
 Gas
 Power
 Ventilation
 Dust Collection
 Compressed Air

9. TECHNOLOGY
16
17
15
18 19
 Robust Infrastructure
 Hard Wired vs. Wireless
 Content Creation / Sharing
 Interactive
 Sound Reinforcement / Voice
Amplification
 Flexibility

10. FURNITURE
 Flexibility
 Durability
 Integration with Technology
 Ergonomics
20
21
22

11. EQUIPMENT
 Space Requirements
 Power Requirements
 Data Requirements
 HVAC Loads
 Dust Collection
23 24
25
26

12. ACOUSTICS
 In Space
 Floor/Ceiling Materials
 Acoustical Panels
 Absorption
 Reflection
 HVAC noise
 Equipment Noise
 Sound Reinforcement Systems
 Between Spaces
 Wall STC Ratings
 Acoustically Rated Doors
 HVAC Penetrations
 Operable Partitions
 Outlet Locations
 Make use of Buffer Spaces

13. DISPLAY OF STUDENT WORK
 2D – Graphics, Posters, Writing
 3D – Models, Projects
 4D – Videos, Simulations, Slideshows
29
2827

14. SCIENCE LAB
 TYPE OF LAB
 SYSTEMS
 GAS
 WATER
 POWER
 DATA
 CHEMICAL DILLUTION
 LIGHTING
 FURNITURE
 STORAGE
 PREP ROOMS
 APPLIANCES
30
31

15. LECTURE MODE PROJECT MODE

16. DEMONSTRATION
MODE
LAB STATIONS

17. PRE-ENGINEERING LAB
 TYPE OF LAB
 SYSTEMS
 GAS
 WATER
 COMPRESSED AIR /
VACUUM
 DUST COLLECTION
 POWER
 DATA
 LIGHTING
 FURNITURE
 STORAGE
 TOOLS &EQUIPMENT
32

18. TRAINING MODE PROJECT MODE

19. ALT. PROJECT MODE DEMONSTRATION &
TESTING MODE

20. PRE-ENGINEERING SUITE

21. TECHNOLOGY LAB
 TECHNOLOGY
 DUAL MONITOR
 LAPTOP BASED
 SYSTEMS
 POWER
 DATA
 LIGHTING
 FURNITURE
 STORAGE
33
34

22. TECHNOLOGY SUITE

23. TRAINING MODE

24. PROJECT MODE ALT. PROJECT MODE

25. DISTANCE LEARNING LAB
 TECHNOLOGY
 REMOTE CONFERENCING
 CONTENT
 VIDEO
 PRESENTATIONS
 REFERENCES
 LESSON PLANS
 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
 STUDENT DOCUMENTATION
 VIDEO CAPTURE
 LIGHTING
 FURNITURE
 STORAGE
36
35

27. DEMONSTRATION CONFERENCING

28. COLLABORATION ROOMS
 Modes of collaboration
 Technology
 Content creation &
documentation
 Multiple sources of information
 Remote conferencing
 BYOD
 Furniture 37

29. LOUNGE / BRAINSTORM /
VIDEO CONFERENCE
ALT. LOUNGE /
CONFERENCE

30. LOUNGE / LARGE
CONFERENCE
BREAK OUT GROUPS

31. MUSEUM STUDIES / EXPLORATION LAB
 Learning through exhibit
curation
 Long term project space
 Arts – S.T.E.A.M.
 Work space & exhibit space
 Lighting
 Tackable surfaces

32. OUTDOOR LEARNING
 Readily accessible
 Environmental literacy
 Experience of Natural
Environments
 Community access
 Storage for tools
 Wash facilities 3938

33. SUMMARY
 21st century learning environments promote the 4 C’s –
Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity
 If designed to be appropriate for the intended grade level, real
world workplace environments serve as models for S.T.E.M.
learning spaces.
 Integration of furniture, technology, and equipment requires
significant coordination.
 Technology and furnishings should be selected to support the
curriculum. To support multiple modes of teaching and learning,
they should be as flexible as possible without compromising
functionality.

34. QUESTIONS?
More Questions?
Contact Me!
Daniel Curry
dcurry@quinnevans.com
202.591.2541

35. PHOTO CREDITS
1. Public Domain - U.S. Federal Government
2. Creative Commons - University of Michigan School of
Natural Resources & Environment
3. Creative Commons - One Laptop per Child
4. Creative Commons - Friends of West Baltimore Squares
5. Creative Commons - Narodowy Instytut Audiowizualny
6. Creative Commons - Todd Kulesza
7. Creative Commons - Brad Flickinger
8. Creative Commons - Todd Kulesza
9. Creative Commons - Narodowy Instytut Audiowizualny
10. Creative Commons - U.S. Army RDECOM
11. Creative Commons - Narodowy Instytut Audiowizualny
12. Creative Commons - Eje Gustafsson
13. Creative Commons - Duncan Hull
14. Creative Commons - North Charleston
15. Courtesy – Epson America
16. Copyright – Quinn Evans Architects
17. Courtesy - Smart Technologies
18. Courtesy – Epson America
19. Courtesy – Wacom
20. Courtesy – Steelcase
21. Courtesy – KI
22. Copyright – Quinn Evans Architects
23. Courtesy – Zcorp
24. Courtesy – Hewlett Packard
25. Creative Commons - Todd Kulesza
26. Creative Commons – Amsterdam Fab Lab
27. Copyright – Quinn Evans Architects
28. Copyright – Quinn Evans Architects
29. Creative Commons - Todd Kulesza
30. Copyright – Quinn Evans Architects
31. Copyright – Quinn Evans Architects
32. Copyright – Quinn Evans Architects
33. Copyright – Quinn Evans Architects
34. Copyright – Quinn Evans Architects
35. Copyright – Quinn Evans Architects
36. Courtesy – McCain Institute
37. Copyright – Quinn Evans Architects
38. Creative Commons - USFWS Pacific
39. Creative Commons - University of Michigan School
of Natural Resources & Environment
All other images Copyright – Quinn Evans Architects