Mr. Ly Phan’s AVID & social studies classes will receive $40,000 in new furniture to transform their classroom into an innovative learning space.
Bkm Total Office of Texas (bkm), a Dallas-based office furniture designer and supplier, announced Lakeview Middle School (LVMS) of Lewisville ISD and located in The Colony, Texas as the winner of this year’s Flip This Classroom challenge at a school-wide pep-rally in the school’s gym in early December. Mr. Ly Phan’s AVID and social studies classes will receive $40,000 in new Steelcase Education furniture to transform their classroom into an innovative learning space that will foster engagement and student participation in classroom projects.
Phan’s class beat out many North Texas schools with a video parodyto the tune of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space,” asking bkm to transform their classroom and hallway or their “education will go down the drain.” Mike Paris, a senior account manager with bkm, presented the award to the entire class and revealed a few of the furniture concepts that will be included in the new classroom and hallway design.
“We’re always amazed at the level of creativity students and faculty put into their entries and LVMS was no exception,” Paris said. “We’re looking forward to providing 21st Century Active Learning furniture from Steelcase customized to their classroom and hallway that will help Mr. Phan and his students be better equipped to focus on assignments, collaborate with their classmates and truly be excited to go and learn every day.”
In its fourth year, the bkm Flip This Classroom contest invited students and teachers fromany middle or high school in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to create a compelling three-minute video to explain why their classroom or library needs a makeover. Students and teachers also included how the new furniture and design will help them learn and do everyday tasks more efficiently. Entrants submitted their videos via social media by using the hashtag #BKMflipthisclass2016.A team of judges voted on the entries in early November and worked with school officials to facilitate a pep-rally for the winner.
Phan said, “I’m humbled and honored to share this award with our students and staff, knowing that this amazing opportunity only enhances our educational environment in an already innovative district like Lewisville ISD. BKM & Steelcase’s furniture will create a true experiential classroom where our students can collaborate comfortably and create multimedia project-based learning presentations or virtual reality field trips.”
A recent study from Steelcase Education shows that “active learning” classrooms designed to support engaging experiences have a significant impact on student participation.In fact, the majority of students and faculty that participated in the study reported their new classroom, designed with one of four of Steelcase’s advanced learning layouts, contributed to higher engagement, motivation and creativity, and the expectation of better grades. With this in mind, Phan’s classroom will receive new Steelcase Node chairs and Verb table with Verb personal white boards. The exact furniture combination will be determined by working with LVMS and bkm total office of Texas design team.
Bkm will renovate the classroom over the holiday break and unveil the new design in January. For more details on the bkm Flip This Classroom contest, please visit http://www.bkmtexas.com/event/flip-classroom-2016-now-open/.
About bkm Total Office of Texas
Bkm Total Office of Texas (bkm) is the market leader in planning, procuring and installing new and pre-owned office furniture to fit each customer’s needs. Formed in 1972, bkm is a certified, woman-owned organization that creates interior environments that attract, retain and inspire employees, while being cost effective. By remanufacturing “green” furniture, bkm offers cost savings of 30 to 50 percent. Bkm’s diverse team of trained professionals provide excellent customer service and customized solutions for every space.
For more information, visit http://www.bkmtexas.com.
