Authors: Morgan Watson
Mentors: Kristen Arnold
Insitution: Weber State University
In the United States, 1 child in every 26 seconds drops out of high school. Out of the 50 million children in America, that are school age, 15 million are unsupervised after school time. With children being at greatest risk between the hours of 3pm and 6pm, these statistics raise a huge red flag. This project’s purpose is to provide peace of mind to working parents, and success for children throughout their school experience and beyond. Research has proven that afterschool program environments are a successful tool used to positively shape and increase healthy behaviors and practices among children (Huang, 2013). School design can affect student behavior, development, and academic performance (Huang, 2013). A key factor in effective school environments is the appropriate use of color. Careful color application has proven to have positive effects on behavior and cognitive learning (Heliyon, 2022). In addition, children have a better school experience when given autonomy. Autonomy improves intrinsic motivation (Ford, 2016). Research suggests that wherever possible, design for autonomy be implemented as a way to support children’s growth and development (Sorensen, 2013). This can be applied through multi-purpose learning spaces and flexible classroom furnishings. Additional spaces for collaboration and creativity are needed to meet the needs of today’s students and hold their attention. Furthermore, autonomy in the classroom environment is supported by designated areas where children can express themselves and make the space their own. Potential areas for this include cubbies and classroom bulletin boards.