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Convening sustainable learning: examining the community school framework as a mode of creating sustainable learning environments
Thesis   Open access

Convening sustainable learning: examining the community school framework as a mode of creating sustainable learning environments

M. Marie Mastrobattista
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001045
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Abstract

Community schools Interior decoration Sustainable Development
Public school buildings throughout the United States are deteriorating because they were primarily constructed over 50 years ago, with few major repairs and improvements since being built (Bingler et al., 2003). In addition to crumbling infrastructure, issues in school buildings such as poor indoor air quality, lack of daylight, bad siting, and poor acoustic conditions negatively affect the wellbeing and performance of the school's primary users; students and teachers (Bingler et al., 2003). Additionally, if schools are not adequately serving these primary users, they cannot function in a way that serves the broader community. School buildings can be more and do more than just serve as brick-and-mortar locations for daily instruction. With proper planning and design, consideration for sustainability, the right organizational structure, and neighborhood involvement, successful, and sustainable community schools can develop (Bingler et al., 2003). The National Education Association defines a community school as: a center of the community that brings together academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement in one built environment, leading to improved learning, stronger families, and healthier communities (National Education Association, 2017). Existing frameworks for community schools focus on guiding communities, school planners, and organizers but should also be useful tools that are understood by architects and designers when designing these spaces. By understanding how community schools function, design teams can partner with neighborhoods and school planning teams best to serve the individual community with a sustainable school design. If architects and designers utilize current sustainable building practices and existing frameworks, they can create school buildings that are healthier and more sustainable for generations of students, teachers, parents and grandparents, local businesses, and other invested community members. The final result of this research will develop a new tool that equips stakeholders on community school projects to have positive impacts on educating students and communities on sustainability to establish even stronger schools, communities, and global citizens.

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