Centers for Experiential Learning and InnovationInspiration, Realization, and Cross-disciplinary Success

Presenters

Charles PiperAIA, LEED AP,

Principal

Dave PfaffAcademic

Technologist

Mary-Chris Escobar

Asst Dir for Academic &Experiential Programs

Learning Outcomes1. Assess the viability of various potential on- and off-campus facilities,

locations, and partnerships for achieving authentic interdisciplinary engagement and collaboration

2. Develop operational and funding models for an interdisciplinary center that best assures student success and university progress

3. Plan a variety of programming and promotional activities to spur openness and collaboration between disciplines and to improve meaningful student, faculty, and community participation in an interdisciplinary center

4. Employ tools to break down barriers to interdisciplinary engagement on their campus and foster richer creativity and problem solving in teaching and research

• Planning and Designing• Leading and Funding • Equipping and Operating• Programming• Evolving

Success Factors

The da Vinci Center for InnovationVirginia Commonwealth University

Cross-disciplinary Degree Programs in a Cooperative, Including:• School of the Arts• School of Business• School of Engineering• The College of Humanities and Sciences

Program Space For:• Cross-disciplinary work• A “neutral” territory• A “living” space• Catalytic Program

Development

da Vinci Center work space and classroom in the Pauley Pavilion at the VCU School of Engineering

The da Vinci Center Across CampusInnovation Living / Learning Center(classroom space)

807 Cathedral Placeda Vinci Center

Pauley Pavilion at the School of Engineering(classroom space)

Slide of the exterior

807 Cathedral Place prior to da Vinci Center Renovations

Existing Conditions at 807 Cathedral Place

The School of the Arts Administrative Suite –The Pollak Building

Pre-Renovation

Post-Renovation

Project Data- da Vinci Center

Construction Budget$350,000 for construction, plus donated materials

Total Project Cost +/- $500,000 project cost

Project Area3,800 SF renovation on two floors

Cost per SF $131/ SF, renovation

Pre-renovation Post-renovation

Transformation of a Living Space

Post-Renovation- Gallery Space in the Commons Area

Pre-renovation

Post-RenovationPre-Renovation

Commons

Graduate Studio

Conference The Vault

Undergraduate Studio

Maker Space

Student Co-working / Event space

Assistant Director Suite

Workspace for Business Manager

Post-RenovationPre-Renovation

How the space and the tools have spurred innovation and engagement

• 24/7 Workspace• Key-Card Access• 3-D Printers in

“The Vault”

Access to Space

Expanded Influence Across CampusMetrics of success: • Truly cross-disciplinary

o Certificate Product Innovation (Arts: 32%, Business 26%,Engineering 23%, H&S 19%)

• 47% growth in master’s program from 2016-17 to 2017-18

• Experiential Opportunities offered to all VCU students (Pre-X, Demo Day)

• Health Innovation Consortium

Community Influence • IDEATE Speaker Series

• Increasing Diversity in Entrepreneurial And Tech Ecosystems

• Dialogue about diversity and social change as it relates to innovation and entrepreneurship

• Open to students and community members

The da Vinci Center:The cross-pollination of

disciplines (and students from across campus)

happens in real space, much more than virtual

space!

da Vinci Center Lessons Learned• Neutral Territory• Expanded Access• Independent Leadership/Governance• Alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan• Collective Funding/Support• Aggressive Promotion and Partnering• Community Outreach

The Integrative and Quantitative CenterWashington and Lee University

Genesis of the Project

John T. Perry Professor of Biology and Research Science

Helen I’AnsonProfessor of Biology and Research Science

Goals of the Project•Collaborative Inter-Disciplinary•Research space•Cutting Edge Technology•Shared Imaging Equipment•Flexible active learning classroom space

•Maintain Study Space•Visibility

Opportunities and Space

Institutional Decision-Making: Put it in the Science Library Underutilized Existing SpacesHigh VisibilityShared/Common SpacePhysical Challenges

• Institutional Decision eMaking: Put it in the eScience Library

• Underutilized Existing eSpaces

• High Visibility• Shared/Common Space• Physical Challenges

Existing Space

Commons

Design Process

Detailed Space Programming

The Design

The Floorplan

IQ Center - Design

IQ Center - Realization

Stereo 3D Lab

Stereo 3D Lab

Physical Mechanical Lab

Physical Mechanical Lab

Physical Mechanical Lab

Physical Mechanical Lab

Computer Lab

Operations• Organization• Personnel • Budget/Financial support• Booking Space• Hours and Staffing

• Organization

• Personnel

• Budget / Financial Support

• Booking Space

• Hours and Staffing

Operations• Serves Entire Campus• University-Wide

Engagement-Outreach

• Shared Resources• Equipment

Impacts• Engagement –Examples of innovative uses of technology for courses and research

•Utilization and Campus Response

•Interdisciplinary Connections

How the space, tools and support have impacted innovation and engagement

Innovative Uses of TechnologyCalculus

ResearchFaculty and Student Research

Results - UtilizationTeaching in the Center (first 3 years)

176 60 22Number of

different classes that have held sessions in the

IQ Center

Number of unique Faculty members that have taught in

the Center

Number of departments

that have taught in the

Center

Strongly agree

Strongly agree

Strongly agree

Strongly agree

Agree

Agree

Agree

Agree

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%

The IQ Center space was comfortable.

My instructor’s teaching was more effective in the IQ Center space than it would have been in a more traditional classroom.

The physical space allowed me to interact effectively with my peers.

Overall, the space enhanced my learning experience.

Student Response

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree

Strongly agree

Strongly agree

Strongly agree

Strongly agree

Agree

Agree

Agree

Agree

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%

The IQ center technology enhanced my teaching.

The technology worked.

I received sufficient support from IQ center staff.

Overall, the space enhanced my teaching experience.

Faculty Response

Strongly agree Agree Other

Project Data- IQ Center

Construction Budget$561,000 for construction

Total Project Cost $1.1 Million

Project Area4,841 SF

Cost per SF $227/ SF

IQ Center Lessons learnedFlexibilityBudget planning/Funding ModelSuccess in stimulating interdepartmental work- collaboration and innovation

What’s Next at the IQ CenterTechnology checkoutTechnology enhancements- and replacement/maintenance- next generationStreamlining processesOnline resources

• Planning and Designing• Leading and Funding • Equipping and Operating• Programming• Evolving

Discussion

Drivers for Great Cross-Disciplinary SpacesLocation- access, visibility

Neutral Territory

Neutral/shared leadership/control/funding

Flexibility of the space- furniture

Trust- Permission- help/supervision

Messy vitality

Display· Equipment · Materials· Surfaces- writable· Work product· Work in process

Access- 24/7