Project Faraday

The Scottish Parliament which cost £348 million emits more than 140 kg CO2 / m2
CAR has just completed this book about designing new science facilities for schools for the Department for Children, Schools and Families. 

The UK government is spending £6.7 billion a year improving school facilities, and science is a priority for education because fewer young people are studying science beyond age 16. Project Faraday aimed to develop a suite of science facilities in schools as demonstration projects showing the best of current school science buildings.

These new buildings are hoped to inspire the next generation of science students and teachers. They will make it easier for teachers to engage all students in science, using buildings and technology to make learning science fun.

CAR wrote up the findings from Project Faraday in this 120-page book, which has just been published by TSO. The book is aimed at school heads and governors, local authorities and building professionals. It showcases the school designs, and teases out the key themes that emerged from the work.

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One of the key themes was that schools prefer flexible spaces with different settings for different activities. Traditional labs are often ill-suited to group discussion and theory work.

One of the key themes was that schools prefer flexible spaces with different settings for different activities. Traditional labs are often ill-suited to group discussion and theory work. (Image: East Barnet School/DEGW)