One Student at a Time.'
"In the end we will only conserve what we love.We will only love what we understand.
We will only understand what we are taught."
--Baba Diom
A VISIONARY PROJECT
THE DAVINCI CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE ARTS & SCIENCES is designed to set a new standard in how we pursue learning over a lifetime: from the ground up! The DAVINCI CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE ARTS & SCIENCES combines green architecture and landscaping; an integrated, hands-on curriculum; and multi-generational learning partnerships, to cultivate the creative and critical thinking skills exemplified by Leonardo daVinci more than four centuries ago. DaVinci's interdisciplinary strategies are more relevant today than ever before, as we seek innovative solutions to the challenges of the 21st Centruy. The DAVINCI CENTER's goal is to develop a model for sustainable living, which can be replicated locally, nationally, and internationally. Collaborators in this visionary project include:
THE DAVINCI LEADERSHIP ACADEMY a 9-12th grade collegiate/high school, and THE DAVINCI LEADERSHIP CAMP a summer residential collegiate/high school eco-adventure camp for students in grades 9-12. The synergy of purpose between the founding partners includes:
-THE CREATION OF A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE, GREEN DESIGN
-THE CREATION OF A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE, GREEN DESIGN
- THE CREATION OF AN INTEGRATED, HANDS-ON CURRICULUM
-AUTHENTIC OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES TO PROMOTE STEWARDSHIP, AND
-AUTHENTIC OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES TO PROMOTE STEWARDSHIP, AND
-THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
DESIGNED FOR SUSTAINABILITY
THE DAVINCI CENTER, will be designed to become a LEED certified campus, featuring state-of-the-art sustainable technologies to reduce energy consumption, water consumption, and waste production, while creating a healthy, productive indoor environment. Geothermal energy will be used for heating, cooling, and hot water. Green roofs will capture and recycle rainwater, and a Living Machine will treat and recycle water. The buildings will utilize natural light and ventilation, sustainable building materials, and low VOC finishes.
DESIGNED FOR PERSONALIZATION
DESIGNED FOR PERSONALIZATION
British Anthropologist Robin Dunbar theorizes there is a cognitive limit to the number of people we can maintain stable social relationships with. He believes the maximum number of people that allows each person to be known individually is 150, or less. The DAVINCI campus is designed to incorporate Dunbar's number to promote a personalized learning environment for students, teachers, and families.
The DAVINCI design concept is built around Small Learning Communities of 120 students each, housed in eight classrooms of 15 students. These self-contained classrooms will include boys and girls locker rooms with showers, and a kitchen. The design eliminates hallways, allowing teachers to monitor student behavior in areas traditionally out of view, and to provide common areas for cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Eight teachers and eight student teachers will collaborate in the core academic subjects: math, science, language arts, and social studies through an arts-integrated approach with a focus on environmental sustainability, communication arts, and adventure education. A 7.5-1 student-to-teacher ratio in a multi-age setting will allow teachers to individualize the program to the students' interests, abilities, and learning styles. The curriculum will exceed state and national accountability standards through an inquiry-based program of project learning. Students will be required to pass the COMPASS test to participate in dual-enrollment college classes. A thirteenth year will also be available to DaVinci graduates.
The DAVINCI design concept is built around Small Learning Communities of 120 students each, housed in eight classrooms of 15 students. These self-contained classrooms will include boys and girls locker rooms with showers, and a kitchen. The design eliminates hallways, allowing teachers to monitor student behavior in areas traditionally out of view, and to provide common areas for cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Eight teachers and eight student teachers will collaborate in the core academic subjects: math, science, language arts, and social studies through an arts-integrated approach with a focus on environmental sustainability, communication arts, and adventure education. A 7.5-1 student-to-teacher ratio in a multi-age setting will allow teachers to individualize the program to the students' interests, abilities, and learning styles. The curriculum will exceed state and national accountability standards through an inquiry-based program of project learning. Students will be required to pass the COMPASS test to participate in dual-enrollment college classes. A thirteenth year will also be available to DaVinci graduates.
The DaVinci model is designed to expand the campus one small learning community at a time. The pedagogical and physical school design can be adapted to a variety of learning environments.
DESIGNED FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS
DESIGNED FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS
Students at THE DAVINCI CENTER will prepare meals in the classroom kitchen from their Edible School Yard. All aspects of growing, harvesting and preparing nutritious food will be incorporated in the curriculum. This hands-on experience will foster an appreciation of how the natural world sustains us, and promotes health and well-being. The aquatecture design will be part of an integrated water management system for garden irrigation, heating and cooling, and water recycling through a Living Machine System.
DESIGNED FOR FLEXIBILITY
THE DAVINCI CENTER'S small Learning Communities will be designed for adaptive use, and shared overhead. Classrooms will convert to camp use in the summer months by exchanging desks for beds. The Small Learning Communities will include residences for student teachers during the school year, and camp staff in the summer months. Sharing facilities will allow THE DAVINCI CENTER to attract and retain highly qualified faculty and staff, and to expand facilities and programs for the entire community.
DESIGNED FOR ENTERPRISE
As a research based, entrepreneurial learning environment, THE DAVINCI CENTER will promote real-work in the real-world. DAVINCI students will host a weekly Organic Farm Market with composting and recycling, and an Artist's Market as part of a Student/Mentor Program. Students will learn business management through this hands-on experience. Their earnings will be invested to purchase laptop computers, art supplies, and outdoor adventure gear to support learning. During the summer months, the student-run enterprises will provide scholarships to camp and day students.
DESIGNED FOR COLLABORATION
THE DAVINCI CENTER will offers a full schedule of dual-enrollment college classes to district students through our University partners.
DESIGNED TO HONOR EXPERIENCE
DESIGNED TO HONOR EXPERIENCE
THE DAVINCI CENTER will promote sustainable change through multi-generational learning. Each new generation will learn the value life experience from their Mentors, as they gain in wisdom to face the challenges of leadership.
