The Association for Learning Environments’ SchoolsNEXT programme has grown up in many ways. In its initial years, 2006-2013, SchoolsNEXT was known as the School of the Future Competition, engaging middle school students across the globe. With the intent to bring the student voice into the planning and design of innovative and resilient 21st century learning environments, the SchoolsNEXT programme began with a holistic approach to learning through the arts - integrating all areas of study, engaging all learners and offering an opportunity for students to demonstrate critical thinking and creativity in achieving solutions to real-world problems. To create and facilitate the structures and opportunities for these powerful connections is a significant part of working thoughtfully with student-centred educational and social systems in which they are genuinely affirmed and encouraged to build self-confidence. Working as a collaborative team, the programme encourages them to use their “visual arts” voice to design and effect change in the world.
“Rebranded in 2015 as SchoolsNEXT, nearly 3000 students from across the globe participated in the programme that now includes secondary schools with plans to include university levels in the future. As the face of education around the world continues to evolve to better prepare students to succeed, the SchoolsNEXT competition enhances learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, providing real-world learning experiences and opportunities for students to ask questions, problem solve and collaborate on solutions. SchoolsNEXT promises to be an internationally connected programme that encourages cultural collaboration between groups around the world.”
Barbara Worth, Director of Strategic and Private Development , Association for Learning Environments.
We featured in our last edition the top honor of the Award of Excellence for SchoolsNEXT given to Lakeridge Junior High School Innovative Home of Potential (IHOP). The young design team was passionate about the connection between learning and the global community. They challenged traditional thinking and used the building as a teaching tool, placing science classrooms in the trees, adding maker spaces and developed the organization of teaching and learning into more flexible and adaptable groupings.
They were not the only teams presenting through SchoolsNEXT at the LearningSCAPES & LEsolutions conference in Atlanta and attendees had the opportunity to meet and hear from the young designers from those teams that had been selected as finalists from the qualifying chapter and regional meetings held during the year.
This year saw SchoolsNEXT moving into the secondary education age range with Middletown High School, Frederick, Maryland presenting in Atlanta and being given Special Recognition as the Inaugural High School entry.