South SFV Today

Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) is progressing with its new campus construction project, which includes innovative spaces aimed at enhancing educational experiences. The project introduces several new features designed to support teaching, research, and community engagement.

Olivia Crawford, the associate dean of finance and operations at GSE, stated, “What we’ve learned at Stanford, and from architects and designers from around the world, is that the right kind of space can be transformative. When you provide people with functional and inspiring surroundings, it expands what they can do.”

The new campus will feature a research testing suite equipped for education-focused projects. This includes a secure data room for handling sensitive information. Another highlight is the "classroom of the future," designed with advanced technology to study classroom dynamics. Additional facilities include a makerspace and an AI Tinkery.

Event spaces like the Great Hall, Barnum Hub, Community Forum, and a top-floor meeting room are also part of the development. Crawford noted these venues would allow events previously held outside the school to occur on-site.

Community input has been integral to this project since its inception in 2017. Focus groups comprising faculty, research staff, and students contributed their insights during various design phases.

The specialty spaces cater specifically to Stanford’s education community but are also accessible to the broader Stanford population and external collaborators.

Crawford expressed optimism about the impact these spaces will have: “On day one of moving into the new spaces, I foresee a new energy for the school inspired by the remodeled space but mostly because the community will be together... It will enable new possibilities and allow people to move forward in new directions.”

This story was originally published by Stanford Graduate School of Education.

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