Bullard Bright IDEA Lab

Bullard Bright IDEA Lab

Innovation, Design, and Education in Action

A Case for Support of the Bullard Bright IDEA Lab

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In a time when life is reimagined for all of us and the norms and routines of yesterday are shed, a Bright IDEA Lab gives us the opportunity to envision a different kind of learning space.

A classroom, presentation space, studio, maker space, and lab all in one, this flexible space is without definition in the traditional sense. Students and teachers are invited to enter and learn from each other, build on shared experiences, design better solutions, take intellectual risks, and explore new frontiers.

In this space, the connections, collaborations, and possibilities are endless.

— JESS HILL, HEAD OF SCHOOL

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The Bullard Bright IDEA Lab will Promote: Innovation • Connection between the sciences and the humanities Design • Problem-solving skills through engineering, coding, entrepreneurship, digital humanities, and interdisciplinary scholarship

Education in Action • Opportunities to learn from featured speakers, participate in professional development

sessions, convene student/teacher meetings, and conduct workshops to research, build, and launch entrepreneurial projects

The Bullard Bright IDEA Lab is Aspirational and Inspirational

At

Harpeth Hall, students are encouraged to explore, create, collaborate, and think critically about complex concepts. The Bullard Bright IDEA Lab, envisioned in the heart of the Hortense Bigelow Ingram Upper School in the current Bullard Gymnasium, will inspire interdisciplinary work throughout the curriculum, spark innovation in girls education, and connect students and faculty to our local and global community. The Bright IDEA Lab will incorporate technology into the design with features such as flat screens throughout the space that can be coordinated or used separately within each room. The overall design allows for flexibility to expand or enclose classrooms and laboratories as students come together in small or large groups. The Bright IDEA Lab will help students build the skills to solve the global problems of their lifetimes in collaborative forums.

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Reflective of the importance of both tradition and innovation at Harpeth Hall, Bullard Gymnasium — built in 1953 in honor of George N. Bullard Sr., a Founding Member of the Board of Trustees — will be renovated for this new, 21st century purpose.

A Vision for the Bullard Bright A Vision for the Bullard Bright IDEA Lab IDEA Lab

peth HallHarpeth envisions transforming the existing Gymnasium left in February 2020) into a lab Hall envisions transforming the existing Bullard(above Gymnasium (above left in February 202 A Vision for the Bullard Bright Bullard IDEA Lab ce inspiredspace byHarpeth leading innovation centers, including the including Wond’ry at University Hall envisions transforming the existing Bullard Gymnasium (above left in February 2020) (top intoUniversity a right). The inspired by leading innovation centers, theVanderbilt Wond’ry at Vanderbilt (top

space by leading innovation centers, including the Wond’ryfirm at Vanderbilt University (topmeets right). the lab space, as lab seen in inspired theas concept designs below by the architectural Orcutt|Winslow, new lab space, seen in the concept designs below by the architectural firm Orcutt|Winslow, me The new lab space meets the educational needs of the students of today and provides flexibility for tomorrow. cational needs of the students and provides for tomorrow. educational needs of of thetoday students of today flexibility and provides flexibility for tomorrow.

the Bright IDEA Lab, “theWith limits of Harpeth Hall will be forever widened so that every student will have the ability to grow in a new way.

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— DRAPER WITHERSPOON ’25

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The Bullard Bright IDEA Lab Enhances Teaching and Learning Harpeth Hall’s mission is to ensure that each student realizes her highest intellectual ability in the sciences, the humanities, and the arts. Research suggests that girls excel in STEM when the curriculum is hands-on rather than lecture-based, collaboration is emphasized, and risk and imperfection are allowed and encouraged.

Each specially curated space in the Bullard Bright IDEA Lab is designed to enhance teaching and learning for girls. Using the IDEA Lab’s creative expanses, faculty are excited to plan more hands-on and project-based learning including calculus labs, engineering projects, the sixth-grade water project, Winterim courses requiring a kitchen or access to Maker Space tools, and our STEM Summer Institute. As technology continues to change education, the space will be responsive to the constantly evolving needs of the school program. All furnishings will be chosen to maximize flexibility and reconfiguration, and improved lighting and acoustics will enhance the learning environment. Furthermore, alumnae, parents, and others will have the opportunity to come together in this space for meetings and other educational events. The existing 6,600-square-foot gymnasium will be transformed into a 12,995-square-foot educational environment to include the following features:

Large Meeting Room • The large meeting room with seating for 125 will be the most flexible room of its size on Harpeth Hall’s campus.

The space features a flat floor for versatility in furniture configuration to best fit the audience’s needs, as well as table and chair storage. The room will be equipped with full AV connectivity, cameras, and TV screens that can be synchronized for large events or individualized for small meetings or breakout sessions. A Nanawall allows direct access to the Student Commons.

• The room can be used for lectures; grade-level, faculty, and parent meetings; admission sessions; alumnae events; and small recitals and performances. It can also be an inspiring and creative space to host workshops on teaching and learning for the greater Nashville community.

Teaching Kitchen • The multi-use teaching kitchen will be equipped with appliances for classroom use. A moveable island and rolling supply carts will encourage demonstrations and hands-on learning. With its location on the Massey side of Bullard, future opportunities exist to link the kitchen and possible greenhouse with sciences classes.

• The teaching kitchen will be used for chemistry and biology as well as humanities classes, club meetings, and Winterim classes. There is also an opportunity for students to prepare meals for Public Purpose projects and for the school to host catered events.

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Project Rooms • A multi-media projects room with a green screen and small recording room will allow students to produce their own radio shows and podcasts.

• An additional project room will serve as a flexible space for a variety of projects and will have storage closets to maximize efficient use. Additionally, these rooms may serve as ideal independent work/lab space for Middle School SEEK projects, Upper School Global Scholars projects, and entrepreneurial ventures.

Collaborative Learning Classrooms • The collaborative learning classrooms will be large enough for classes to gather for lessons that are hands-on and project-based. The spaces will be ideal for active learning lessons in geometry, courses in computer science such as Python and Raspberry Pi, and entrepreneurial-related lessons across disciplines.

• In the first of two rooms, a storage system will allow long-term projects to be lifted above the floor on a 12’x12’ platform to maximize space, which will be visible from the Loft. Additionally, a Nanawall feature will allow the space to expand into the Student Commons.

• The second room will have a Nanawall that allows connection directly into the teaching kitchen.

Maker Space • The Maker Space will build upon the success of the Design Den in the Ann Scott Carell Library. With primary focus on robotics and engineering, technology-based tools will be available for large and small hands-on projects. A window from the Upper School corridor will allow passersby a glimpse at the action and energy of the Maker Space.

Student Commons and Loft Space • A Student Commons on the ground floor will build community by offering space for informal gatherings for students across grade levels. It can also provide expansion space for events in the large meeting room.

• The commons and loft will support peer-to-peer tutoring, independent and group study sessions, club meetings, and more. Additionally, the space serves as an area for the display of student work.

Shining Bright Harpeth Hall students share what they love most about the Bright IDEA Lab design.

• The loft: A cool, open space where we can be ourselves.

• The multi-purpose areas: An environment for every student to seek new skills.

• The sleek design: A forum for light and ideas to flow freely.

• The teaching kitchen: A way to explore and expand our interests beyond the curriculum.

• The podcast studio: A creative medium to express ourselves.

• The chance for connection: So many collaborative areas to gather and work together.

• The accessibility: A place where resources for innovation are accessible for all students.

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The Bullard Bright IDEA Lab Achieves Strategic Goals This educational space aligns with the school’s 2018–2023 Strategic Plan and affirms the school’s commitment to leading-edge teaching and learning, to a strong college preparatory program that prepares young women for their years beyond college, to building community, promoting inclusion, and embracing diversity of thought, and to long-term financial sustainability through this adaptive reuse of an existing space. Further, the Bullard Bright IDEA Lab will be informed by a future vision for a new Massey Mathematics and Science building as we ensure that our facilities match the excellence of our program.

Timeline: Approximately eight months from commencement of construction Fundraising Goal: $5.9 million

Words

our students use to describe Harpeth Hall • Innovative

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This project shows Harpeth Hall is extremely committed to letting students have many opportunities and is growing to meet students’ needs.

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— VERONICA PIERCE ’23

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Every aspect of the Bright IDEA Lab caught my eye and left me in amazement!

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— KATE DAY ’25

• Inspiring • Encouraging • Empowering • Inviting

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Every detail — the light fixtures, couches, balcony area, and different rooms — are something I have never seen at any high school before.

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— VEE COUNTER ’23

• Challenging • Unique • Extraordinary

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The space and the layout can inspire new and ingenious ways to present projects.

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— ELIZABETH LEFLER ’25

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The Bright IDEA Lab will encourage you to think outside the box by being a place that is outside the box and unique.

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— ELIZABETH BROWN ’22

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Architectural Renderings Orcutt | Winslow The concept designs by architectural firm Orcutt | Winslow illustrate how the Bullard Bright IDEA Lab meets the educational needs of the students of today and provides flexibility for tomorrow.

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Harpeth Hal 8

Harpeth Hall

View from the entrance of the Bullard Bright IDEA Lab

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Harpeth Hall

View from the loft

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Harpeth Hall

Meeting room

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Harpeth Hall

Student display corridor

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Bullard Bright IDEA Lab: At a Glance Innovation, Design, and Education in Action Transform the existing 6,600-square-foot gymnasium built in 1953 into a 12,995-square-foot center for innovative teaching and learning, which will ensure Harpeth Hall facilities match our leading-edge program.

Large Meeting Room for an entire grade or parent/alumnae group to gather Teaching Kitchen for science in action or service learning projects Project Rooms for small group work, including podcasting, etc.

Collaborative Learning Classrooms for larger group work, including robotics field Maker Space for innovation, creativity, and interdisciplinary STEAM connections Student Commons for community building Student Loft for study space and small group meetings

Harpeth Hall

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