Science labs, in particular, are used in many interdisciplinary sessions. To facilitate interdisciplinary teaching, classrooms can be clustered in groups of four to six. At Summit High School, some rooms contain movable walls to create one large area from two smaller ones. If the subject is the Gold Rush, the history teacher might conduct a class with the science and art teachers. The science teacher could discuss the properties of gold while the art teacher explains how it was made into jewelry and used in architecture of the time.
Interdisciplinary methods require sufficient teacher planning areas.
Park Hill High School will have a central, highly visible room for this purpose. Windows will look out to the two main corridors. Teachers will be able to supervise passing students, and students will see the teachers providing role models of teamwork. We have found time and again this involvement leads to a higher percentage of support for decisions you make. Active community and staff participation in the decision-making process will lead to a better understanding and acceptance of the final design solutions created by the planning team.