The 1979 passive solar design for Meadow Park Elementary School (Irvine, California) was not used until 1986. Architects had incorporated workable energy-saving features that would give a sizable return on the investment. They maximized use of natural light and used solar features (clerestory windows and interior courtyards) to reduce heat…

This open-ended survey of 156 subjects (78 pairs of visually handicapped orientation and mobility specialists and adult clients) identified common low vision mobility problems (lighting conditions, drop-offs, street crossings, changes in terrain) and found a high degree of agreement between the reported perceptions of mobility practitioners and…

Offers 10 tips for renovating or building school washrooms that enhance user satisfaction while making them easier to maintain. Tips cover all aspects of school washroom design and highlights the following elements of effective washroom design development: user input; ease of maintenance; accessibility; and functionality. (GR)

Explains how to upgrade inefficient lighting systems that will dramatically cut energy use and costs while simultaneously improving the learning environment. Offers advice for using outside consultants. (GR)

Describes how to use the school site and landscape plan to create a safer outdoor environment for students. Facility-design concepts used by one school district to address its campus security issues are discussed. (GR)

Discusses how schools and universities can save energy and money by evaluating lighting systems and changing behaviors. Retrofitting older buildings with better lighting technology and use of natural light are examined. An example of an energy conservation education program to reduce energy waste is highlighted. (GR)

Describes a flashlight photography experiment for students of a variety of ages that can be done without a darkroom or expensive equipment. Lists the materials required and outlines the process of using flashlights and "open shutter" photography to create various visual effects. (DSK)

Offers tips on energy efficiency and building design that can help schools reduce operating costs, improve academic performance, address health and safety issues, and protect the environment. (EV)

What are the most relevant factors influencing perceived danger in urban public space? To answer this question, a field experiment of students(N = 122) was carried out on a German university campus within which perceived danger was analyzed under systematic variation of lighting, prospect, and opportunities of escape. Two standardized…

The new campus of Queen Margaret University College in the United Kingdom is designed to be a sustainable educational and community resource. Early consultation with students and staff on the campus design revealed a strong desire for a sustainable environment, with plenty of green space for all to enjoy. In response to this, the design focuses on…

In April 2005 the World Year of Physics (Einstein Year in the UK and Ireland) was celebrated with an Einstein week in Stockholm House of Science. Seven experiments illustrated Einstein's remarkable work in 1905 on Brownian motion, the photoelectric effect and special relativity. Thirteen school classes with 260 pupils, 30 teachers and 25 members…

This paper reports the findings of a 1990 nationwide survey of chief student affairs administrators addressing college and university campus safety issues. Respondents (N=701 out of a total of 1,091 recipients) completed a 24 item questionnaire, and the results were analyzed using frequencies and cross-tabulations for comparisons by size of…

An elementary school in a rapidly expanding suburb of Columbus, Ohio, is planned around the issues of energy, economy, and open plan teaching. (Author)

President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Rural Electrification Act changed farm life dramatically. The miracle of electricity in rural East Texas is examined in "Electricity Comes to East Texas" (Brandi Anderson and others). Chronicled is a description of life without electricity and how everyday chores were done in its absence. Local citizens…

Describes various types of ceilings and lighting systems appropriate for schools and discusses some factors to consider in choosing among them. (JG)