Overview & Impact

Innovative high schools and college campuses are undergoing rapid change as institutions explore new learning models to engage an increasingly diverse student population. This evolving change is inspiring new approaches to planning learning spaces. Since 2019, Ottawa Hills’ leadership team, faculty, and our Foundry design team (composed of parents and students) have had the vision of creating an innovative learning space coupled with a design thinking mindset to have a transformational effect on our students’ learning. 

Design thinking is a “human-centered and collaborative approach to problem-solving, using a designed mindset to solve complex problems,” as defined by Tim Brown, British Industrial Designer and President of IDEO.

Specifically, the design thinking process engages students in activities to try multiple ideas, work with others, receive feedback, reflect on what they’ve learned and revise their solutions in order to improve their problem-solving approach. Design thinking can help students become more persistent when approaching complex problems or setbacks, effectively respond to failure, and improve their overall problem-solving ability. Learning to accept and effectively navigate failure or setbacks is an important aspect of resilience that has benefits not only in educational settings, but across life contexts. 

The Foundry is a community for Design Thinkers to share, learn, grow, and create value together.

PURPOSE: Create a destination where students in grades 7-12 can study quietly, collaborate with each other, meet with tutors, and participate in intervention programming, research, and innovation. The space will become the hub for 21st century learning at the building.

LOCATION: The space encloses the Junior/Senior High School courtyard and combines it with three adjacent classrooms (rooms 112, 120 and 128).

FEATURES: Supported by Personalized Learning Approaches and Structured Learning Assistance, The Foundry resources will include active and passing learning environments, a library, tutoring spaces, and huddle and testing rooms. As part of the project, IT break-fix operations will move into the space for easier access by students and a small kitchen-like area will be added.

HOURS OF OPERATION: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. during school days

ESTIMATED SIZE: 6,800 square feet

HOW IS IT FUNDED?: The project is being financed through a new capital campaign and borrowing; the borrowed money would be repaid from the 2.6-mill bond issue passed by Village voters on Nov. 3, 2020. 

WHEN WILL IT OPEN: The finished space could be dedicated as soon as the fall of 2022.