Engaging with Students to Shape Their Future School
Design is a living form of art, often inspired by the people who interact with it. At Elevatus, we focus on connecting with the end user, ensuring our designs are meaningful, functional, and aligned with their needs. One way we do this is through student engagement activities.
Before joining Elevatus, I had never heard of these engagement activities, and that piqued my curiosity. I’m always eager to grow and expand my knowledge, so without hesitation, I volunteered.
The SEA I participated in focused on Milford Elementary, a brand-new facility for the community. As the design process began, we gathered with children of different ages and encouraged them to design and model the elementary school they envisioned.
What features would it have? What spaces should be included, and where would they go? What drives these decisions?
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These were some of the questions we asked as the students built their models using the magnetic building blocks we provided. Many of them loved the idea of outdoor spaces and gardens where they could explore and learn. Outdoor classrooms encourage different types of learning and engage students in ways that a traditional classroom might not. Of course, in Indiana, an outdoor classroom might only be usable for a couple of months each year!
Beyond nature-focused spaces, the kids were especially excited about areas for activity and play—gyms, pools, and spaces where they could simply hang out with friends. It was fascinating to see how they thoughtfully considered different areas of a school while letting their imaginations run free.
As we grow older, we often let our imagination muscle weaken, but kids know no bounds. Seeing their creativity firsthand was inspiring. It’s a reminder to keep learning, keep dreaming, and reconnect with the inner child in all of us.
Grace Cervantes is an Architectural Graduate with Elevatus. She is a member of the firm’s Education Market, working with clients to create inspiring spaces where students can learn, grow, and dream.
