Creighton Middle School Playground Improvement Proposal

This project is to build a middle school playground that leverages the influential scientist Sir Isaac Newton’s passion for math,science and physics to help students‘ minds and bodies stay in motion. The project has six specific areas that utilizes Newton’s hobbies and his laws of motion to create a unique playground. An outdoor playground fit to match the exemplary education happening indoors at Creighton Middle School in Lakewood, Colorado. As we imagine it, the form of “Newton’s Field” will be anchored by a planetary solar system fitness circuit to be frequented by community members and students at one of the key cornerstones of Lakewood. The circuit will consist of planet shaped pods with two components (an outdoor exercise element and a bench/table/shade to eat lunch and learn a little bit about science.) The circuit will flow naturally around the periphery of the field and alongside the existing track. Notably, each planet pod will contain lessons about science and planetary motion appropriate to each planet. The Earth pod will have a small outdoor-rated simple Newtonian telescope for viewing planets and stars offering extraordinary glimpses and insights into the stretches of the solar system. The existing midi-sized basketball court at the entrance to the field will be expanded and developed as the Sun element with a mixed-use basketball court. Other elements nearby will include an obstacle course that encourages students to use logic and reason to overcome the obstacles of information and science fiction. An outdoor garden and classroom will complete our concept with outdoor art, age-appropriate outdoor musical instruments, mathematical puzzles, scientific experiments, and mechanical play.