ANTHROPOMETRY

PROJECT

DRIVING QUESTION
What is an optimal middle school learning
environment?
Optimal: best or most
favorable.
Learning environment:
classroom
In your mind, how do you
picture the room where middle
school students learn best?

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

1. Select one area:

one academic classroom (such as math)
or a learning center (such as the library)
or the large room downstairs (for a new study center)
2. Consider the types of lessons/activities in that room:
-full class presentations by the teacher
-small group work
-large group discussions
-individual work
-learning centers
-materials/equipment used by students

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION CONT.

3. Other considerations:
-Number of 6th grade students who will use that space.
-Average measurements of a 6th grade student.
-Size and shape of room.
-Placement of non-movable items such as:
doors
windows (if any)
counters
closets

4. Research what is available?

Study floor plans, furniture, lighting, electronics.
What is already available? How can you change it and
make it better? What can you create that will be different,
unique, and functional?

YOUR GOAL

Your Goal - to show how you can design a better learning

environment by utilizing what you have learned about
anthropometry specifically
biometrics (measurements) and
ergonomics (design and arrangement).
Project 1 poster and 1 model
Possibilities include but are not limited to floor plans, architectural
drawings, computer images (Sketch It Up), and cardboard, clay,
and/or Styrofoam models.
All drawings and models must be to scale.

TIMELINE
Thur. and Fri. Make your plan
1. Decide on a room.
2. Do research.
3. Complete the Project Work Report and
Our Agreement.
4. Complete the Specific Tasks sheet.
5. Make a list of materials and who is
responsible for getting them to school on
MONDAY.

Next week You will have each afternoon (Mon. Thur.)

to work on your project.
On Friday, your project will be set-up in the
Lair, and you will present it to
administration, teachers, and Lower School
students.

REMEMBER TO PLAN FOR THE NUMBER

OF STUDENTS AND ACTIVITIES IN THAT
ROOM.
Here are a few ideas. Lets start with
furniture.

Do students have to sit?

In which rooms might

students do better
If they could stand?

CAN YOU BE CREATIVE?

Places to sit and/or recline

can be quite different.

All chairs arent the same.

There are options to

traditional chairs and desks.

Quiet room?

LED
Light

Shelv
es

Wheel
s

How about swivel chairs?

THINK ABOUT THE LAYOUT

Remember
it must be to scale.

This is a
good start.

This is better. It
includes scale and
description.

DONT FORGET THE USE OF WALL SPACE

AND ELECTRONICS

How do you think these work?

Interactive Tables
Math problems
Diagramming
sentences Locating
countries
Mapping volcanoes

NOW, PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.

Use of
walls.

NOW, PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.

Use of walls.

Tables, chairs, and

stools.

NOW, PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.

Use of walls.
Tables, chairs, and stools.

Learning
Centers.

NOW, PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.

Use of walls.

Learning
Centers.

Electronics.

Dont forget art,

computer, and

DRAMA.

HAVE FUN AS YOU CREATE AN OPTIMAL MIDDLE

SCHOOL
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.