This article is part of our “New Learning Spaces” series, a collection of stories highlighting the transformations coming to the WAB campus prior to the start of the 2019-20 school year. The second installment of this series, this covers the changes coming to WAB’s Middle School – specifically focusing on the mathematics department.

When people around the world think about teaching and learning mathematics, conventional images likely come to mind: a single teacher in front of rows of quiet students, working through step-by-step instructions of how to reach a single solution.

Math education at WAB has never been like that. We've managed to balance rigorous and in-depth learning with high levels of engagement and achievement. The next step in the evolution of our mathematics program involves big changes to the Middle School learning spaces. The plan is to consistently connect students with real-world applications of mathematics, get them physically involved in their learning, and immerse them in ways of thinking frequently used in math-based professions, like engineering, design, and architecture.

“We use math to understand and make sense of the world around us,” said Middle School Principal Marina Frias-Gavidia. “The conventional way of teaching and learning math has disconnected so many people from those real-world applications. The spaces we are creating are going to get us back to connecting real life and the world around us with our learning and use of mathematics.”

Along with a theater space that serves a more traditional lecture-based approach to teaching, these dynamic, flexible spaces will suit a variety of approaches that cater to different styles of learning mathematics. (You can see all of the designs for the MS Math space here.)

Extensive research tells us that engaging our bodies in learning improves comprehension and retention of information – especially in math. When you’re using your whole body to explore large forms, take measurements, and manipulate objects, you’re going to digest information in more ways than just seeing things on a board at the front of a classroom.

And that is one of the key pillars of inspiration that went into the new Middle School Math space: Everything is designed to be manipulated. One of the areas in the space will be marked with grid-lined floors and walls, where students can use their whole bodies to create graphs and work with life-sized objects. Furniture throughout the space can be moved to build and construct models. There’s even a section of chairs designed to mimic Newton’s cradle.

“Leading into our decision-making process about these spaces, the focus of our research was to help us better understand how the physical learning environment can promote and improve mathematics learning spaces,” said Tracey Brown, a Middle School math teacher and part of the group of educators working on these changes. “The space allows students to use different areas based on their individual or group needs. There is space for active movement that promotes hands-on thinking and creativity. We will have space for students to work individually in quiet areas, space for collaborating in large and small groups, space for one-on-one instruction, and space for more traditional group teaching.”

The Middle School mathematics space is one of several created in collaboration with Rosan Bosch Studio, a world-leading creative studio for innovative and functional learning spaces. This space will serve as one of WAB’s “prototype spaces.” Set to be completed in time for the start of the 2019-2020 school year, the initial spaces undergoing transformation will inform and guide the further changes on our campus’ learning environment in the future. The entire project is one part of the Future of Learning at WAB, or FLoW21, WAB’s community-wide journey to update our educational philosophy and practices to maximize learning. (You can read more about FLoW21 here.)

Rosan Bosch and her team were on campus several times to work with students, teachers, parents, and administrators to help us reimagine the flexibility and functionality of places where learning happens based on our expertise, extensive research, and personal experiences. The team will return after the renovations are complete to train faculty on how to maximize usage of the spaces, as well as gather information about how to move forward in the design of other areas of campus.

To learn more about the research that inspired these designs and the changes that are coming to WAB's campus in line with the Future of Learning, join us for parent sessions about the Middle School space on May 23, and the High School space (which we'll write about next week) on May 9. More information will be available in WAB Weekly.