Problems like hunger, food deserts and homelessness often make their way into schools, where adults do what they can to address these burdensome needs confronting students. In a unique learning experience, Saint Louis Public Schools turned to its students to propose ideas on how to use space to address issues in the schools and the community. Students became social entrepreneurs in the district’s first Love of Learning Design Challenge.
“That’s the beauty of the design-thinking process, it starts with empathy,” said Glenn Barnes, the social studies curriculum specialist who came up with the concept of the design challenge. “So they have the ability to make a connection between their head and their heart to an issue that is important to them.”
Seven teams of finalists ranging from grades 5 to 12 presented their ideas in front of judges, “Shark Tank” style, at Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park on March 15. Judges were drawn from business, government, education, food service and the media.
Students prepared their prototypes with professional guidance and assistance from Tech Shop and Filament. The young finalists were dressed for success and passionately presented their proposed projects with confidence to the judges and audience.
The team from Earl Nance Sr. Elementary proposed “You Name It, We Got It,” a restaurant to serve locally sourced and donated healthy and affordable food in North St. Louis – with service to homeless populations.
Fanning Middle School pitched the idea of “Erth,” a multi-floored, eco-friendly, multi-cultural restaurant where refugees could work and enjoy foods from their home, featuring cuisine from each continent.
Central Visual and Performing Arts High School sent three teams to the design competition. One CVPA team proposed a “Green Thumb” restaurant for residents of North City who live in a food desert. It would have a coffee shop on the ground level and a rooftop garden tended by volunteers to sell fruits and vegetables.
With vacant schools, district buildings being sold, and one-in-five SLPS students classified as homeless during the school year, the second CVPA team proposed reopening Simmons School as a shelter, providing support, counseling, job training and a safe place to sleep, eat and study.
The third CVPA finalist proposed turning an unused classroom into a “Quiet Room,” a space where students dealing with stress, anxiety, depression or trauma could unwind before returning to the school environment.
A rubric used for scoring by the judges took into account whether the idea was innovative, feasible financially, energizing, aligned with the vision of the schools and the city, well researched and sustainable.
The winning proposal came from the team from Farragut Elementary School. They proposed a space redesign of the teacher’s lounge into “Tiger Cove,” a quiet, relaxing study lounge to work on projects and collaborate with peers in a tranquil setting outside of the normal classroom. The teachers approved the idea before the competition took place.
In addition to a trophy, Farragut will get resources to put that winning transformation into place. SLPS leaders may also look at ways to make quiet study lounges available in other schools.
“I think a room like that has to be personalized for the community, and that’s not necessarily a one-size-fits-all-approach,” Barnes said. “The idea could be the ‘one thing,’ but how each school implements that would be best left to the student body to decide.”
About a thousand dollars in initial seed money was set aside to start the process, Barnes said.
“Saint Louis Public Schools Foundation has also said they would commit some funds to that, but by-and -large, it’s going to require the help of members of the community and other businesses,” he said. “The passion amongst the teachers, the principals and especially the students makes this a very realistic opportunity.”
Even in the process of finding the funds to make it happen, there is an opportunity for students to learn. “It’s also teaching them real life,” Barnes said. “There is a certain process in trying to find the funding.”
Barnes said they are always looking for student mentors or volunteers to help in schools.
“Whether it be a donation of time or something tangible – it could be money, in some cases, we even need food and clothing donations,” he said. “We are looking for building up partnerships in the community. We are trying to connect learning with life.”
To contribute seed money for the redesign project, contact Rachel Seward at 314-345-2353 or email Rachel.seward@slps.org. For more information, visit www.slps.org/loveoflearning.
