A boy plays at the SPARK Park at Emerson Elementary school on Wednesday afternoon.

When the district’s $805 million bond program was approved by voters in 2007 to begin more than 180 construction and renovation projects across the district, Berry Elementary Principal Deborah Silber immediately began planning for her new school.

While she and her Project Advisory Team considered classroom sizes and how to include 21^st century technology in the school’s design, they also wanted to make sure they had enough space to include a new SPARK Park for the students and community that would replace the school’s original playground.

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Educators know that often the best way to understand something is to experience it.

The New Tech High School in Coppell, Texas opened its doors in 2008. The school has wide open spaces, every student has a laptop, and New Tech is a student centered project-based community.

That was the goal of a recent visit to Dallas by HISD principals and administrators, who got a firsthand look at new schools designed to embrace 21^st century learning. With the 2012 bond program slated to build or renovate 40 schools across the city, much discussion has focused on creating modern facilities that use innovative teaching methods. The tour included stops at three schools in the Dallas area.

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HISD COO Leo Bobadilla addresses the Houston Hispanic Architects & Engineers at a luncheon on Thursday.

More than 40 people turned out Thursday to hear an update on the 2012 bond program by HISD Chief Operating Officer Leo Bobadilla at a luncheon sponsored by the Houston Hispanic Architects & Engineers.

“The vision is simple,” he told the crowd. “Build 21^st century schools that support 21^st century learning.”

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Furr High Principal Bertie Simmons and teacher Lurlean Dixon participate in the “Building 21st Century Schools” symposium on Wednesday. Click on the image for more photos from the symposium.

For HISD teachers, students and staff wondering how to go about building 21^st century schools as part of the 2012 bond program, one architect has some advice.

“Start with talking about ideas,” said Christian Carlson, an architect with NBBJ, an architecture and design firm. “This is where the work happens.”

Carlson capped off a half-day symposium Wednesday on “Building 21^st Century Schools” for more than 200 parents, students, teachers, and staff who will be involved in the $1.89 billion program to repair or build 40 schools, including 29 high schools.

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