Colonel Smith Middle School
21st century students need 21st century learning environments.
The $17.4 million 88,693 SF Colonel Smith Middle School (CSMS) design evolved from the Fort Huachuca Accommodation District’s defined vision for the new school:
Real World, Authentic Project-Based Learning
STEM Driven, Integrated, Group Instruction
Supported by Integrated Technology
Student Centered, Teacher Facilitated
The District’s vision for the new CSMS instructional program includes a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) curriculum driven by state-of-the-art technology appropriately differentiated in each grade level. Instructional delivery methods put heavy emphasis on project-based, inter-disciplinary instruction that stresses real world problem-solving and experimentation in a collaborative environment. All areas of the building are designed to create interest, curiosity and learning opportunities for students.
State-of-the-Art Building for 21st Century Students
The building is equipped with high efficiency LED and electric lighting systems with state-of-the-art digital lighting controls that ensure a minimum amount of electric lighting is used when needed. Super-efficient light sources include T5 fluorescent lamps and LED lighting systems using continuously dimmable drivers. Motion sensors are used inside and out to make sure lights are off when spaces are not in use.
Research funded by the California PIER program shows a significant increase in student learning in classrooms with daylight and views to the outside. From its first architectural concepts, CSMS has been emerged as a fully-daylit building with views from almost every classroom or office. The project harvests rainwater from roof tops and from the artificial-surface athletic field in a pair of 25,000-gallon water harvesting tanks. The harvested water is used to irrigate native trees and shrubs species planted throughout the site.
