Academy of Information Technology & Engineering

Narratives

Educator Narrative

The Mission of this school is to provide our students with a multitude of learning experiences go gain the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the challenges of the emerging global community through a dynamic, technology rich, college preparatory, small school environment.

This is an inter-district magnet high school serving students from Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridefield and Stamford. The facility is a college preparatory public high school engaging students in curricula enriched by the power and reach of information technology resources. The technology focus, built around a core elective program of information technology and pre-engineering courses, is not just for those students with particular interests in these fields. More broadly, our emphasis on technology represents a strategy for making life-long learners out of our students. We blend the natural appeal of student interest in technology with the systematic, process-oriented approach to problem solving inherent in IT and engineering projects to make learning exciting, challenging and to stimulate our students’ critical, creative and complex thinking skills. As a smaller learning community environment we apply cutting edge “best practices” in our classes: project-based learning; small classes; collaborative learning; teachers as facilitators; and, the integration of technology into every subject area. All academic content courses are taught at the college preparatory, honors and advanced placement levels, only. Courses are taught in a alternate day block schedule of four, 88-minute periods each day. Our students are eligible to take credit-earning courses at Norwalk Community College and UCONN. We expect that students will complete four-year sequences in English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science and Word Languages.

This is the first school of its kind in Connecticut for high school students interested in all aspects of technology. The Information Technology elective combines traditional high school courses, cutting edge technology training, industry certification, college credit, and paid corporate internships.

The Academy is a wireless state-of-the-art high school facility that integrates technology into the standard high school curriculum and offers the opportunity for students to earn and become nationally certified network administrators 9students are eligible for CISCO, A +, MOS and oracle certification at the end of their learning experience.) These industry certifications are internationally recognized certifications qualifying individuals to work as network administrators.

The elective program of Architecture and Engineering is designed to inspire, motivate and prepare those students interested in pursuing Architecture and Engineer careers. Students interested in this elective area are expected to excel in their academic pursuit. As our students enter college/workforce, the ability to deal with complex and often ambiguous information will be more important than simply knowing a lot of facts or having an accumulation of knowledge. The AAE elective utilizes the coursework and materials of Project lead The Way (PLTW).

What exemplary ideas do the designs contain that enhance learning?

The challenge of this school project was to spell out the proper vocabulary of architecture, engineering and information technology to create a functional, sculptural school building that excites high school students studying these fields. While they are satisfying their required programs, they are able to learn the fundamentals and functions of the basics of construction by looking at and learning the engineering aspects of various areas, which were conceived to have the structural, mechanical, electrical and information technology services exposed. This assists in their learning because the environment is also their guide.

A further design concept was to provide zoned wireless areas within the building. This process assists in guiding students to proper and fundamental areas of the internet while learning.

Our firm was required to follow LEED guidelines and good sustainable design practice. Even though the Owner did not proceed with LEED Certification, this building, as you will see, certainly contains major aspects of same.

What innovations in the planning, programming and design process supported the realization of those exemplary ideas?

When entering the building, both the main computer center with all of its server and blinking hub equipment and the mechanical room and its equipment can be seen through the glass openings viewing these “main engines” of the building. The entire concept is a combination of two basic philosophies, inward looking and outgrowing.

The primary functions surround the two main skeletal spaces; the open amphitheater and the atrium with a variety of vistas in between. The atrium with a continuous steel stairway, free standing glass elevator, connecting bridge and corridors can function also as an auditorium.

The dialogue between the main functions has been emphasized by forms, shapes, surfaces, patterns, textures and colors. Natural light through elements such as a translucent dome, skylights, and a clear story in conjunction with artificial lighting methods such as indirect lighting and daylight harvesting are designed to enhance the spaces.

The school employs the latest energy thermal storage system, harvesting and storing cold energy during low demand evening hours and releasing it for daytime use, saving considerable operating costs. The energy consumption is further reduced by the use of sun-shading devices along with related control of artificial illumination and window shading.

The infrastructure for the information network comprises a fiber optic backbone and wireless technology, using zones areas to guide the students’ curriculums.