The K12 Innovation Accelerator Program

School Yard Redesign

Dan Rolo
St. Clair Catholic SD
Feb. 2023

“When I’m outside with my students, it is so different from inside. Somehow everyone’s guard goes down… it’s like we’re real people again. These are my favourite times with students, because I get to know them a lot better.” 

— Anonymous teacher, Gaining Ground

Children spend most of their days and much of their formative years in school. Many things in education have changed over time, but schoolyards and outdoor learning spaces haven’t experienced much evolution. In this project, students are asked to re-imagine their schoolyard and create their ideal, all-season outdoor learning space using 3D software (Twin Motion or UnReal Engine). Throughout this project, students will further develop their understanding about sustainable development practices, equity, inclusive design, and resource management. By the end of this inquiry, students will understand how to use Twinmotion to build scenes, import objects, and create environmental effects using built-in tools and assets in order to create an interactive 3D environment to demonstrate their learning and showcase their design.