Outdoor STEM Space

Project Description: The goal of this assignment was for our group of three students to design an outdoor space at San Marin for use by students and staff. The space is a dirt area and we were tasked with designing a low budget and comfortable use for this area. My group worked together and discussed our ideas and put together our project. We chose to use the space for outdoor seating as we feel that the school needs more space dedicated to student's or staff taking a break to sit for a moment. People could also do schoolwork or eat at this space. Our area has multiple picnic tables with benches, trees and hammocks.

Content: We were asked to consider the use of Light, Heat and Water in the environment. My group worked together and decided that trees were the best way to give shade to our space because they are low maintenance and they are natural which is good for the environment. We chose trees that are native to California so they could handle the weather conditions and would do well here. The picnic tables would be pressure treated and could withstand weather conditions. They could handle morning dew and rain. Human Use: Our space is designed as a comfortable place for students or staff to sit while they take a break, do work or eat their lunch. The trees will provide shade. The hammocks are a comfortable place for relaxing.

Reflection: In this project I felt that I did a good job with collaboration. I didn't know the people in my group well to start and I quickly adapted and felt that I did a good job planning and communicating with the other members of my group. I felt that I handled the content well and was a conscientious learner. I managed my time effectively. The project was fun for me to imagine because it will improve my school and it is something that I could use myself someday soon. I would like to improve on my Communication and leadership skills. I did better with my leadership in this project by speaking up more but I would still like to take more of the lead in my group. I plan to work on keeping myself as well as my group on task at all times. I try to think of ways to be more critical in my thinking for these assignments. I'd like to try to think of different ways to solve problems in these assignments. I tend to come up with one idea and stick with it instead of exploring multiple options.