Schools In Focus Podcast

Schools In Focus is a podcast dedicated to the design, planning and management of educational facilities and campuses. Listen in as we chat with industry experts, facility managers, architects, security and safety professionals, and other thought leaders.

New Acoustical Solutions — From the Top Down 09/26/2023

New Acoustical Solutions — From the Top Down Increased understanding of and focus on acoustics in the classroom, coupled with heightened focus on speech privacy and information security in today's world, has placed additional burden on school administrators and facility managers. Acoustics isn't only about creating quite classrooms. It's a critical part of the overall IEQ of a school—from classrooms to nurses' offices to administration spaces. New and better technologies exist to give schools solutions that achieve what is needed in today's world while keeping budget parameters in mind. These acoustical solutions start at the top with ceilings, and not all ceilings are alike. Join us as Sean Browne, Senior Manager of Research & Development for Armstrong World Industries, walks us through choosing the right ceiling to optimize acoustics for better learning experiences. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/28148159

You Can’t Build Your Way to Net Zero 08/10/2023

You Can’t Build Your Way to Net Zero This episode’s guest is Lori Ferriss, architect with the Boston firm Goody Clancy and Chair of the AIA Committee on the Environment. We’ll discuss how colleges and universities can’t just build their way to net zero in the quest for carbon neutrality—it’s impossible to achieve carbon neutrality without reducing the operational emissions of existing buildings. Lori co-developed the CARE Tool and collaborated with Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, to complete a campus-scale study to calculate and compare the carbon impacts of reusing and upgrading buildings versus constructing new structures. We’ll also talk about how the CARE Tool and its use at Agnes Scott can provide a model for other institutions around the country that aspire to achieve carbon neutrality. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/27715731

Curating a School Security Plan, Staff, and Budget 03/27/2023

Curating a School Security Plan, Staff, and Budget This episode’s guest is Dustin Brooks, co-founder and chief customer officer of ZeroEyes. He’s here to talk about the importance of creating a school security plan against the backdrop of increasing active shooter and swatting incidents at schools around the country. We’ll also talk about the importance of a steadfast security staff and a reliable source of funding to keep existing security procedures and equipment in a state of readiness. Finally, we’ll address the paradox of the idea that if you do your job correctly, it doesn’t look like you’ve done anything at all. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/26353230

Designing a Kids' Kingdom 02/14/2023

Designing a Kids' Kingdom Our guest today is Hiroshi Okamoto, principal and co-founder of OLI Architecture. He's here to tell us about Anji Play, an early childhood education facility in the Zhejiang province of China. Anji Play uses a hands-off, play-based learning pedagogy that encourages kids to be kids and lets them explore the environment under their own initiative. The school's architecture and design support the program's key aims of self-determined play and encourage its guiding principles of love, risk, joy, engagement, and reflection to create a true "Kids' Kingdom." The curriculum is currently being practiced in public early childhood programs in all of China's 34 provinces and administrative regions, and it has expanded to pilot programs in Europe, Africa, and the United States. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/25929045

Shedding Light on the Benefits of Daylight 11/21/2022

Shedding Light on the Benefits of Daylight Our guest today is Dr. Neall Digert, Vice President of Solatube International, Inc., who’s here to tell us about the benefits of daylight in education spaces. Neall has over thirty years of consulting and education experience working in the energy, lighting, daylighting design, and research fields, specializing in the design and application of advanced lighting and daylighting systems for commercial building applications. We’ll talk about the physiological and psychological effects of daylight; daylighting’s impact on student wellness and academic performance; the sustainability effects of daylight; its use as a disinfectant; and much more. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/25084956

How to Foster a Positive School Climate 10/18/2022

How to Foster a Positive School Climate On this episode of Schools in Focus, we’re talking with Dr. Kevin Mabie, Global Professional Instructor with the Crisis Prevention Institute. He’s here to talk about how a positive school climate can help K–12 leaders address, reduce and prevent bullying and violent behaviors. Among other topics, we’ll discuss what a positive school climate entails, its benefits for students and teachers, layout and design elements that foster a positive environment, and strategies that K–12 teachers can employ to stop bullying in its tracks. Sponsored by Crisis Prevention Institute. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/24723489

Bringing Learning to the Great Outdoors 09/22/2022

Bringing Learning to the Great Outdoors On this episode of Schools in Focus, our guest is Brad Pittam, president of the International Play Equipment Manufacturer’s Association, or IPEMA. We’ll touch on topics like the recent rise in outdoor classrooms, the benefits that these spaces provide to students and teachers alike, the difference and overlap between outdoor classrooms and playgrounds, and design elements to be mindful of when implementing these spaces into your campus. This episode is sponsored by IPEMA. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/24460746

Beyond the Bare Minimum 08/22/2022

Beyond the Bare Minimum In this episode of Schools in Focus, we’ll be talking about indoor air quality in schools. Our guests are Mike Wolf, Director of Regulatory Business Development, and Tyler Mancl, Principal Application Engineer, both with Greenheck. We’ll talk about how schools can ensure the air in their building is safe and how to verify the performance of their HVAC systems. We’ll cover the main aspects of indoor air quality—ventilation, humidification, and filtration—as well as how to make sure air is properly distributed in facilities. We’ll talk about how both existing schools and newly-built facilities can improve air quality while keeping operational costs down. And finally, we’ll discuss a $500-million grant program from the U.S. Department of Energy that helps schools pay for energy upgrade products. This episode is sponsored by Greenheck. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/24132213

Managing Schools and Classrooms to Promote Student Wellness 07/12/2022

Managing Schools and Classrooms to Promote Student Wellness Our guest today is Bob Dillon, a school designer and consultant with STS Education. He's here to talk about the importance of student wellness during the learning day, from the time students arrive at the bus stop to the final bell. We'll cover all the different aspects of student wellness, as well as wellness rooms, the role of technology, staff wellness and professional development tracks, and the importance of choice in getting students to engage. This episode is sponsored by STS Education. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/23711024

Hacking the Senses to Maximize the Student Experience 06/27/2022

Hacking the Senses to Maximize the Student Experience Today's topic is "Hacking the Senses to Boost Student Wellness," and my guests are Kim Montague, Executive Director - research and insights, and Kaelynn Reid, design futurist, both with Kimball International. They're here to talk about the design elements of multi-sensory environments that research and experience have shown to maximize student wellness. Sensory input in the classroom—everything from color to sound to scent, and even taste—can impact student experience and can play a role in memory retention, creative thinking and emotional intelligence. You'll learn how classroom designers can essentially "hack the senses" to usher in a desired psychological or physical outcome. This episode is sponsored by Kimball International. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/23550383

Creating Healthy Schools by Improving IEQ 05/31/2022

Creating Healthy Schools by Improving IEQ Today’s guest is Kristin Moore, the Vice President of Market Segments at Armstrong World Industries. We'll talk about the importance of indoor environmental quality in creating and maintaining healthy learning spaces for kids. We'll cover initiatives like the Armstrong Healthy Spaces Ecosystem, the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, and the Lancet COVID-19 Commission. She'll also provide some suggestions on how schools can use ESSER funds to address environmental quality issues in schools before the funds expire. This episode is sponsored by Armstrong World Industries. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/23279162

See Something, Say Something 05/04/2022

See Something, Say Something This episode's guest is Jim Lee, the Enterprise Sales Director at Vector Solutions. He's worked with educational institutions ranging from small private schools to the largest districts in the country, helping organizations prevent incidents on campus through crowdsourced risk intelligence. Today, we'll discuss topics like common safety issues and concerns in schools, what to look for in an emergency communications system, and how these systems can help schools get ahead of issues to keep students, staff and facilities safe. We'll also talk about Alyssa's Law and a solution that helps schools meet its requirements. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/23003645

With the Press of a Button 04/11/2022

With the Press of a Button Our guest today is Mark Berger, who’s the President and Chief Product Officer for Securitech Group, Inc. He’s here to discuss a school security solution that gives every student, teacher and staff member the agency to secure themselves in the event of an emergency with the press of a button. He’ll discuss its theory of operation and the installation process, as well as his own experience working with Sandy Hook Elementary School following the school shooting incident there in December 2012. This episode is sponsored by Securitech Group, Inc. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/22754462

Improve Building Health, Safety, and Security with Smart Sensor Technology 03/21/2022

Improve Building Health, Safety, and Security with Smart Sensor Technology This episode's topic is "Improving Building Health, Safety and Security with Smart Sensor Technology," and our guest is Mike Davis, National Sales Manager for IPVideo. We'll talk about the different types of sensors and the variety of data they can collect, from physical to chemical to environmental to security. From there, we'll go into the limitless applications of what organizations can do with a "Swiss Army Knife" of sensors to keep building occupants safe and secure. This episode is sponsored by IPVideo. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/22517054

The Future of ID Card Issuance Technology 02/22/2022

The Future of ID Card Issuance Technology This episode's guests are Mike Mans, Senior Product Marketing Manager, and Tiffany Renz, Sales Director - North America, both from HID Global. We'll talk about how schools can get the best bang for their buck with ID card and badge issuance technology. We'll cover topics like the best benefits of different technologies on the market today; ways to increase the longevity of physical ID cards and badges; and how to streamline the issuance process for these credentials. We'll also talk about the place of physical ID badges in a world of mobile credentials and smart access control. This episode is sponsored by HID Global. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/22216559

Simply Speak: Seamless Communication Within Schools 01/26/2022

Simply Speak: Seamless Communication Within Schools Our guest today is Magen McGahee, the CFO for Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. In this episode, Magen and I discuss the importance of seamless communication within schools. We’ll talk about how a range of Galaxy products like G2 Secure, G2 Visual Alerts and G2 Link make both emergency and non-emergency communication throughout a school facility as easy as the touch of a button. Learn how these products were built from user feedback and how they’re helping solve problems in the Ed Tech industry. You’ll also learn more about an emergency communication solution that can initiate a lockdown procedure and contact law enforcement in one fluid motion. This episode is sponsored by Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/21903056

UV Light and Creating Cleaner Learning Environments 12/02/2021

UV Light and Creating Cleaner Learning Environments Disinfection techniques that help make classrooms safe for students, teachers and staff are still top of mind. Here to discuss some of the benefits of ultraviolet light disinfection are Bruce Ramsay and Tim Stevens, both with Viscor, a Leviton company. We’ll touch on some facts and myths about UV light, the role of UV light in maintaining clean education spaces, and the technology’s benefits for end users in educational facilities. This episode is sponsored by Viscor, a Leviton company. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/21353990

Creating Worry-Free Environments in Education 11/01/2021

Creating Worry-Free Environments in Education This episode’s guests are Elizabeth Bonner, design director for education and hard surface, and David Dembowitz, senior vice president of sales North America, both with Mohawk Group. We’ll discuss choosing the right flooring solutions and the impact it can have on creating healthier, worry-free spaces throughout the lifecycle of the installation. This episode is sponsored by Mohawk Group. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/21010097

Creating More Dynamic Learning Environments 10/07/2021

Creating More Dynamic Learning Environments Guest Sue Ann Highland is the National Education Strategist for School Specialty, but previously, she served as an educator for more than 25 years. She's here to talk about how dynamic learning environments can help keep students active and engaged. We'll talk about the six instructional elements that support dynamic learning, the positive and negative impacts of the pandemic, and the increased reliance of both students and teachers on the digital landscape. This episode is sponsored by School Specialty. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/20740625

The Future of the Physical Campus 08/19/2021

The Future of the Physical Campus Our guest is Benjamin Strain, Higher Education Design Leader for DLR Group. He's here to discuss an ongoing DLR research initiative that involves interviews and outreach to higher education institutions to help them navigate the pandemic, return to campus, and explore new spatial and design requirements to meet the needs of faculty and students. He reveals some themes among all three rounds of research (so far) and addresses the question on everyone's mind: "What’s the future of the physical campus?" /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/20195984

Braving the Gauntlet 07/19/2021

Braving the Gauntlet The Muskego-Norway School District in Muskego, Wis., successfully went in-person, five days a week, for the entire 2020–21 academic year. Our guest today is Tony Spence, the Chief Information Officer for that district. He takes a deep dive into explaining the logistics behind pulling off such a unique feat. He explains what went into creating the district’s plan, committing to it and—most importantly—effectively communicating that plan to students, parents, staff and administrators. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/19855841

Well, Now What? 06/21/2021

Well, Now What? Jonathan Matta, National Education Leader with KI Furniture, takes us through a bird's-eye view of lessons learned from the pandemic. We address topics like learning vs. education, why the term "learning loss" is a bit of a misnomer, and how to give students agency in their own educational process. We also talk about how reflections of the shift in learning culture over the last decade can be found in everything from "Star Wars" to "The Office." Today's episode is sponsored by KI Furniture. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/19548089

Flooring Design Solutions in the Era of COVID-19 06/14/2021

Flooring Design Solutions in the Era of COVID-19 Interior design plays a fundamental role in not only making education spaces functional, but also in creating a calm, soothing environment for students and faculty alike. Aesthetics—from color selection to layout—are crucial in helping schools re-emerge from the pandemic as safe spaces that promote emotional and psychological well-being. Our guests are David Dembowitz and Royce Epstein from the Mohawk Group, and Rebekah Matheny from Ohio State University. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mohawk Group. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/19467746

Safe Air in Schools 06/09/2021

Safe Air in Schools Maintaining indoor air quality has gained renewed importance as K–12 students around the country prepare to return to in-person learning full time. It’s one of the timeliest, most important methods of keeping learning environments safe as the COVID pandemic winds down. And the more we learn, the more we refine and revise what we thought we knew. Our guest is Scott Huffmaster, the commercial HVAC leader for indoor air quality for North America for Trane Technologies, Inc. This episode is sponsored by Tra /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/19413245

Best Practices for ID Card Issuance 05/26/2021

Best Practices for ID Card Issuance K–12 schools and colleges issue ID cards to students, faculty, staff, and sometimes even visitors to campus. The logistics of creating and printing these cards—especially Smart Cards with technical capabilities—are more complicated than you might think. Here to break down the process are Senior Product Marketing Manager Mike Mans and Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives David O’Driscoll, both with HID Global. Sponsored by HID Global. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/19246967

Mastering the Strategic Master Plan 04/27/2021

Mastering the Strategic Master Plan When it comes to designing an educational facility, there's no such thing as "one size fits all." There’s a lot that goes into creating the strategic master plan for a school. Here to tell us more about that design process, both generally and specifically, is Elie Newman, Senior Principal at BNKC Architects, based in Toronto, Canada. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/18886628

Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley 02/08/2021

Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley In this special episode of Schools in Focus, Security Today and Campus Security & Life Safety Editor Ralph Jensen discusses securing a campus with President of M2 Consulting Mitch McKinley. Listen along as Ralph and Mitch talk about security from the outside in. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/17806949

Indoor Air Quality 01/15/2021

Indoor Air Quality One way schools and universities can mitigate the COVID-19 risk is to utilize their HVAC systems to circulate clean fresh air. In this episode, Mike Wolf, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Greenheck, and Ron Wendorski, Director of the Bernard A. Greenheck Education Center, talk about indoor air quality in classrooms. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/17563754

KSU’s New Multicultural Student Center 12/08/2020

KSU’s New Multicultural Student Center Ishita Banerjii, project architect at Hollis + Miller, discusses Kansas State University’s new multicultural student center. The building, dedicated to advance student diversity, features various gathering spaces like dance studios, huddle rooms, and a commercial kitchen. We discuss the vision behind the center, how the team incorporated feedback from numerous student groups, and the significance of having a multicultural student center on campus in the Midwest. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/17116976

Centering Student Health and Wellness In Design 11/10/2020

Centering Student Health and Wellness In Design Turan Duda and Jeff Paine, founding principals of Duda|Paine Architects, discuss how architectural design is shifting to better address the mental and physical health needs of students. They talk about destigmatizing health centers, creating a welcoming, comfortable space with choice, the use of natural materials, and the importance of prevention in student wellness. /episode/index/show/schoolsinfocus/id/16755584

Schools In Focus Podcast

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