The Newmark School is focused on providing a positive learning environment for its special needs students. Administrators, teachers and parents are focused on environments that are flexible, comfortable, high-tech, and optimistic for their students. See how they are using space as a strategic tool to help students reach their full potential.

ACTIVE LEARNING TRANSFORMATIONS The University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona applied for and was awarded one of the 2015 Active Learning Center grants. See how the school has used their new classroom. Learn more about the Active Learning Center Grant

ACTIVE LEARNING TRANSFORMATIONS Saluda Trail Middle School in Rock Hill, South Carolina applied for and was awarded one of the 2015 Active Learning Center grants. See how the school has used their new classroom. Learn more about the Active Learning Center Grant

ACTIVE LEARNING TRANSFORMATIONS Forest Hills Northern High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan applied for and was awarded one of the 2015 Active Learning Center grants. See how the school has used its new classroom. ACTIVE LEARNING TRANSFORMATIONS Forest Hills Northern High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan applied for and was awarded one of the 2015 Active Learning Center grants. See how the school has used its new classroom. Learn more about the Active Learning Center Grant

With more than 850 students, 30 percent of whom are below grade-level, Saluda Trail Middle School had a culture of project –based learning. The problem was the classrooms didn’t support the teaching methods. Furniture was outdated, students were fixed in their seats and teachers lacked the digital and analogue tools to share information. Then the school applied for and received a Steelcase Active Learning Center Grant. The grant program brought flexible learning tools to the school, including mobile furniture, interactive white boards and intentionally designed teacher stations. Today, the Rock Hill, South Carolina based school boasts some of the highest student engagement levels and increasing test scores. The Active Learning classroom brought new life to the school, engaging students in the classroom experience and making them excited about learning and their potential. Watch the video below to hear from 7th grade teacher Julie Marshall on how a new Active Learning classroom transformed her teaching and the students’ learning experience. The application period for Cycle 4 of the ALC Grant begins on Friday, December 1, 2017 and will remain open until Friday, February 2, 2018.

A Kansas university reimagined an existing library space to create an active, energizing campus center. Watch the video to see the transformation take place. The University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas wanted to breathe life back into its underutilized library. Campus leaders had a big goal -- take an existing space and make it a campus hotspot. Now, instead of being a place where students simply study or check out books, the library is a vibrant in-between space where people are able to connect like never before. “I have heard from faculty and staff that they have been able to do activities here that they never had the space for anywhere else,” says Danielle Dion, library director. With the help of the Steelcase Active Learning Center grant, the University of Saint Mary reimagined a library space to encourage learning and collaboration while improving connections between students, faculty, and the community. The flexible library space is now able to host a wide range of learning opportunities including formal classroom discussion, private study, collaborative small group work, and community events such as chess and even yoga. “The whole concept of the Active Learning Center and how we use it at Saint Mary is that it’s adaptable. So, we can change from one set of tables to a different setup in an instant,” said Blake Vajgrt, student activities coordinator. To see how the university transforms its new space day-to-day and proves learning happens in many forms, watch the story above. If you are interested in learning more about the ALC grant or applying for this year’s cycle, applications are being accepted from December 1, 2017, through February 2, 2018.

With the help of the Steelcase Active Learning Center Grant, the University of Saint Mary reimagined a library space to encourage learning and collaboration while improving connections between students, faculty, and the community. The library space is now able to host a wide range of learning opportunities including formal classroom discussion, private study, collaborative small group work, and community events such as chess and even yoga. The application period for Cycle 4 of the ALC Grant begins on Friday, December 1, 2017, and will remain open until Friday, February 2, 2018.

Boyce Middle School near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was a recipient of the 2016 Active Learning Center Grant. See how this school propelled its STEAM program and motivated students through the use of mobile, adaptable furniture and space design. The application period for Cycle 4 of the ALC Grant begins on Friday, December 1, 2017, and will remain open until Friday, February 2, 2018.

Researchers identified seven key takeaways for a better hybrid learning experience after testing four hybrid classrooms.

Minimal design characterizes the suspension version of Coordinates, a grid-like Cartesian system that adds geometric accents to any space.

Spring is a series of three pendant lamps made up of stainless-steel strips. Pliant ribbons of stainless steel have been arranged like a whisk around a custom-made Tom Dixon LED.

A series of lighting and accessories inspired by the materiality of the same marble used to build the Taj Mahal.

Attractive shapes and large dimensions characterise the EMU Terramare collection by Studio Chiaramonte/Marin, designed to create cozy and personal settings both indoors and out.

The high quality, resistance and harmony of Shade Pro parasols make them the ideal accessory, designed to create shaded and peaceful outdoor spaces.

The MoreThanFive Table introduces cast iron as a counterpoint to carbon fiber and the family of LessThanFive chairs. An elemental material made extraordinary through modern craft. Lightness and weight redefined.

The LessThanFive Collection shows seating in an entirely new light-ness. Handcrafted from carbon fiber. Surprisingly light. Exceptionally strong. Weighing less than five pounds. Chairs, stools and lounges that do so much more with less.

Plus4 collection of extendible tables provides a clean aesthetic with the ability to add an additional 4 seats onto the table. With rails specifically designed by EMU, the butterfly opening mechanism makes it easier than ever to use. Compared to a traditional extendible table, the extension allows the addition of 4 seats instead of 2.

Thinking about our communities outside of our workplace can actually strengthen our communities inside the workplace. Kenny Clewett is a leader with Ashoka, a global organization with a mission to mobilize everyone to be a changemaker. Kenny shares how organizations can find changemakers. What makes them so special and valuable? And why being a changemaker can help people and organizations have a better experience at work. (<a href="https://www.steelcase.com/research/articles/change-community-and-your-company-transcript/">Read transcript</a>) (Find in <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/work-better/id1179584196" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6eVSfCrgudrfUlQeK2iKV6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> or wherever you listen)

Lt. Col. Adria Horn shares a unique perspective on talent and turnover, and draws interesting parallels between returning to the office and returning from deployment. She serves in the U.S. Army Reserve and is executive vice president of workforce for Tilson Technology Management. She contributed to a McKinsey article called “A Military Veteran Knows Why Your Employees Are Leaving.” (Read <a href="https://www.steelcase.com/research/articles/return-to-office-is-like-returning-from-deployment-transcript/">transcript</a>)(Find in <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/work-better/id1179584196" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6eVSfCrgudrfUlQeK2iKV6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> or wherever you listen)

A gorgeous swath of wood pulls off the ultimate party trick. A hidden leaf butterflies out to wow your guests and eliminate the need for extra storage space. Wood grain runs the short way, an alluring disguise for the seam.

SideBySide pays homage to the traditional school chair. Stackable and adorable. Simple yet alluring. Traditional yet modern. The smooth curvature of the seat pleases the posterior, an unexpected back detail steals the spotlight.

A slim steel frame supports a wide seat and gently rounded back before meandering into two softly sloping arms. An elegant back detail and an endearing mix of materials make this a charming addition to any room.

Minimal powder-coated aluminum “petals” adjust independently and rotate 360 degrees to spotlight your favorite guests. Dimmable and beautiful. Integrated LED light source avoids the need for ladders and light bulbs.

Tidy triangles or trapezoids come together to keep your space shipshape. Slim powder-coated aluminum shelves and twiggy legs tuck neatly into tight spaces, along a wall or just float. Looks extra dashing in bold colors.

Solid wood cradles a tabletop mirror that’s easily repositioned to reflect your best angle. Grooved tray creates a convenient catch-all spot for rings, earrings and no.2 pencils.

Sit your butt down. Powder-coated steel legs grip a chunky wood top to form a subdued silhouette and a simple stool that works wherever. Three legs provide a sturdy tripod of color and delight. Stackable and practical.

Business leaders have been trying to crack the code on innovation since the beginning of time. But, Dr. Simone Ahuja has a new take on innovation. She says it’s not just about filling an unmet need in the market or solving a previously unsolvable problem. She says innovation is a recipe for engaging and retaining talent. Plus, she shares strategies for building microcultures of innovation in every organization. (Read <a href="https://www.steelcase.com/research/articles/innovation-as-a-recipe-for-engaging-talent-transcript/">transcript</a>) (Find in <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/work-better/id1179584196" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6eVSfCrgudrfUlQeK2iKV6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> or wherever you listen)

Inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese design heritage and crafted with the highest precision, Flor's slightly angled legs provide a strong and stable seat, making it a perfect choice for both home, restaurant and bar environments.

Seed is a series of chairs designed with comfort and the body’s natural position in mind.

SOTO enhances an investment in office furniture by meeting more employee needs and utilizing vertical space in increasingly smaller work environments.

Can a robot take your job? Kevin Roose, New York Times technology writer and author of Futureproof, shares his take on how we can bring more of our humanity to work to avoid being replaced by AI. Plus, he lets us in on how a small bookstore in Oakland, California managed to thrive despite all the market forces working against it. (<a href="https://www.steelcase.com/research/articles/be-more-human-in-the-ai-age-with-kevin-roose-transcript/">Read transcript</a>) (Find in <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/work-better/id1179584196" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6eVSfCrgudrfUlQeK2iKV6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> or wherever you listen)

What’s the real impact of community? NYU social science professor and author of Palaces for the People, Eric Klinenberg, conducted research on a deadly Chicago heat wave that illustrates how important community is to humanity’s resilience. Eric’s work is foundational to how we have been re-envisioning the workplace to be more like some of the best neighborhoods and communities where we live. <a href="https://www.steelcase.com/research/articles/loneliness-lingering-libraries-with-eric-klinenberg-transcript">Read transcript</a> Find in <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/work-better/id1179584196" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6eVSfCrgudrfUlQeK2iKV6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> or wherever you listen

We’re busting myths about how the brain works with guest Annie Murphy Paul, author of The Extended Mind. Annie shares her research into how “context sensitive” our brain is and why our environment matters so much when it comes to how we think and work. Plus, she shares how we need to rethink the way we create groupiness at work in the hybrid era. <a href="https://www.steelcase.com/research/articles/groupiness-at-work-with-annie-murphy-paul-transcript/">Read transcript</a> Find in <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/work-better/id1179584196" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6eVSfCrgudrfUlQeK2iKV6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify </a>or wherever you listen.

How does a sense of community impact the brain? David Rock, CEO and co-founder of the NeuroLeadership Institute, joins us to talk about leadership and how we can create a greater sense of community in today’s era of hybrid work. We’ll cover return to office, quiet quitting and new skills hybrid leaders need to be successful. <a href="https://www.steelcase.com/research/articles/neuroscience-of-community-with-david-rock-transcript/">Read transcript</a> Find in <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/work-better/id1179584196" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a> , <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6eVSfCrgudrfUlQeK2iKV6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> or wherever you listen.

Welcome to Work Better, the podcast where we think about work and ways to make it better. Host and editor in chief of Work Better magazine, Chris Congdon, introduces our first series where we’ve brought together a diverse group of thinkers to explore the idea of creating workplaces that are more like thriving communities. <a href="https://www.steelcase.com/research/articles/a-new-vision-for-the-workplace-transcript/">Read transcript</a> Find in <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/work-better/id1179584196" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6eVSfCrgudrfUlQeK2iKV6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> or wherever you listen.