Giving Compass' Take:

· Tom Vander Ark at Getting Smart explores Beaver Country Day School's Research and Design Center and takes a look at how the innovation hub was designed to promote student-driven learning.

· Why do schools need research and design spaces? How do they promote student-driven learning? Why is this important? How can donors support this initiative?

· Here's more on this topic and the rise of design-focused schools.

“This morning kids were 3D printing some new designs. They were joined by a group working on a geometry problem. At lunch time, the Code Club worked on their snake robots (ironically coded in Python), then a team worked on unicorn designs. After the Engineering and Physics class, a group of kids worked on four panes that illustrate The Kite Runner.” Jayne Everson, Director of Robotics + Engineering and R+D Experience Lead at ​Beaver Country Day School​ summarized the eclectic forms of engagement experience on one day at the year-old Research + Design Center.

Nationally known for its forward-leading education, ​Beaver Country Day School​ released a Student Engagement Study​ today outlining the ways that big flexible spaces can unleash learning—in some expected and surprising ways.

To determine the impact of the Research + Design Center during its first year, three graduate students from the Harvard Graduate School of Education spent time interviewing, observing and surveying students and faculty. The study found that 95% of students understand topics better when learning in a collaborative, project-based space.

Read the full article about student research and design spaces by Tom Vander Ark at Getting Smart.