Slideshow: The Innovative Learning Environments and Teacher Change project symposium at Canyon View High School

October 23, 2018|
Lisa Irish/ Arizona Education News Service

Canyon View High School In Waddell Includes Outdoor Learning Areas Like The Campfire Style Ring Along The Xericaped Habitat That Runs Down The Center Of The School. Photo By Lisa Irish/AZEdNews

One of Arizona’s newest public district schools is drawing international attention for an innovative structural and interior design created to improve student achievement by fostering engagement, collaboration and creativity.

Educators, researchers, policymakers and architects from around the world gathered earlier this month to discuss the impact of design on educational outcomes at Canyon View High School in Waddell, a school built with that in mind. The two-day symposium was organized by The Innovative Learning Environments and Teacher Change project based at The University of Melbourne in Australia.

Slideshow: The Innovative Learning Environments and Teacher Change project symposium at Canyon View High School

A view along the shaded interior learning areas and habitat between the buildings at Canyon View HIgh School.
A close up of one of the campfire style outdoor gathering places at Canyon View High School.
Agua Fria Union High School District Governing Board Member Maxine Hill and Mary Kay Utecht chat at The Accelerator at Canyon View High School during a break at the ILETC symposium.
Anat Mor-Avi, left, and another ILETC participant during the small group activity in one of Canyon View High School's learning suites.
The ILETC attendees gather outside Canyon View High School's Accelerator.
Working in groups in one of Canyon View High School's forts, or large flexible learning areas.
Wes Imms, right, talks to a group about a design priorities activity in a learning area.
Wen Wen, standing, discusses the findings of his research at The Innovative Learning Environments and Teacher Change project symposium.
The Welcome Center at Canyon View High School.
Architect Pamela Loeffelman with DLR Group talks about the features in one of the Teacher Centers at Canyon View High School.
Canyon View High School Principal Phil Nowlin talks about some of the features of the teachers center.Teacher Center
Participants in the ILETC symposium prioritize design concepts in a small group activity.
One of the shaded gathering areas outside at Canyon View High School.
Growing plants are some of the cooling elements used in the outdoor areas of Canyon View High School.
A room in one of the teacher centers at Canyon View High School where teachers can have privacy when they make phone calls.
Architect Philip Idle sums up the research discussed at the ILETC symposium held at Canyon View High School.
Canyon View High School Principal Phil Nowlin answers questions about the learning environments at his high school designed to improve students academic outcomes.
Arizona School Facilities Board Executive Director Paul Bakalis, center, discusses priorities during a small group activity at the ILETC symposium at Canyon View High School.
Dr. Mira Gambhir with the Chandaria Research Centre at Branksome Hall in Toronto discusses her research on teachers and students responses to innovative learning environments.
One of the student eating areas at Canyon View High School.
Participants at The Innovative Learning Environments and Teacher Change project symposium talk during a break at The Accelerator at Canyon View High School.
One of the design team members from Arizona State University answers questions about the xeriscape habitat and outdoor cooling features at Canyon View High School.
Canyon View High School's flexible learning spaces.
A gathering area for students along a hallway at Canyon View High School.
Canyon View Principal Phil Nowlin answers questions in one of the school's robotics areas.
Canyon View High School's Accelerator, which includes an auditorium with flexible space, a large open area and small offices including the school’s broadcast studio, maker space and concession area, and can be used by the community when school is in session without disturbing students.
Chris Bradbeer and a group of participants talk during a priority setting activity during The Innovative Learning Environments and Teacher Change project symposium at Canyon View High School.
Participants in The Innovative Learning Environments and Teacher Change project gather on the learning stairs part of an outdoor amphitheatre at Canyon View High School.
Canyon View High School Principal Phil Nowlin, center, talks about how this learning suite helps students work in small groups and then share out what they find and create.
Canyon View High School in Waddell includes outdoor learning areas like the campfire style ring along the xericaped habitat that runs down the center of the school.
Wes Imms, center, speaks with educators, researchers, policymakers and architects from around the world gathered earlier this month to discuss the impact of design on educational outcomes at Canyon View High School in Waddell, a school built with that in mind.