It’s back to school time! This is especially exciting for us since our new Northland Innovation Center in Gladstone, Mo., has just opened its doors.
This groundbreaking project is a state-of-the-art concept that will educate both K-5 students from SAGE (Students in Academically Gifted Education) from the North Kansas City School District, as well as college students from Northwest Missouri State University.
Last Thursday was the grand opening and open house for the building. The Northland Innovation Center is part of a greater public/ private partnership, which will help revitalize downtown Gladstone.
The first two levels of the building house the North Kansas City School District’s SAGE Program and includes a multi-purpose cafeteria, open learning spaces, and a collaborative teaching space that is versatile and filled with bright, creative colors.
This is the first time that all SAGE students are in one building; teachers now have the opportunity to share resources and collaborate. The innovative educational spaces that Hoefer Welker has designed, respond to SAGE program’s student-led, project-based learning philosophy.
The North West Missouri State University – Kansas City Campus occupies the top floor and features 12 classrooms, conference rooms, collaboration areas, a student lounge, a faculty lounge, and administrative areas.
A large ‘boulevard’ was created to provide a space for college students and faculty to gather before and after class. Each classroom has a flexible furniture layout and configuration allowing each faculty member to create a unique learning environment that aligns with their style of instruction.