Active Design
Designing environments that naturally encourage movement.
The Active Design in Schools Program
Outdoor Learning Initiative
Active Design in Schools Program
The Active Design in Schools (ADS) program is a NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) initiative, from 2024-2028, that aims to equitably increase opportunities for physical activity and wellness for youth. In close collaboration with the NYC Department of Education (DOE), ADS connects schools with resources to enhance the built environment within schools.
Teachers and students spend the majority of their waking hours in schools, and these outdoor spaces can significantly contribute to physical, mental and social wellbeing. For example, adding colorful painted ground markings to an asphalt play area can make the space more appealing and encourage students to engage in active play and get more physical activity during recess.
In partnership with the DOE K-12 public schools in all 5 boroughs, the Active Design program prioritizes schools in communities with historical disinvestment that may have less access to high quality public spaces.
5 Boroughs
Serving K-12 public schools across NYC
5 Years
Maximum impact and collaboration
Wellness Focus
Physical, mental & social wellbeing
Active Design in Action
Promoting Outdoor Learning
The Outdoor Learning Initiative builds upon previous projects the Active Design in School program has undertaken for enhancing outdoor spaces to promote physical activity and wellness in schools.
Through this initiative, this program aims to create a space on the school property for outdoor learning to:
Encourage active recreation
Increase time spent outdoors
Provide opportunities for different types of activities
Foster student engagement
Create safe and inclusive spaces for mental wellness
The program is working with two schools in the 2022-23 school year to implement an innovative outdoor learning project, one school in Brownsville, Brooklyn and the other in East Harlem.
Sustainability
The Outdoor Learning Initiative aims to connect schools in East Harlem and Brownsville with local colleges/universities, organizations and resources to help them sustain the design, programming and curriculum developed during the course of the initiative.
By fostering and nurturing relationships with local community resources, the schools will be able to get the assistance needed to align the goals of the initiative with health and wellness policies, educational initiatives that improve engagement and foster learning in a nontraditional environment.
Equity Design's Role
Equity Design is an ongoing partner of DOHMH whose mission is to use physical activity to help change lives and shape behaviors. We invest in the health of under-served communities through the design of physical activity programs that use data and an equity lens to shorten the gap between health, wealth and life expectancy.
Student Engagement Process
Engaging students and staff through PE/recess observation and listening sessions, discussing the types of activities for students
Space Utilization Planning
Working with schools on a plan for the use of the enhanced space
Policy Development
Developing a School Wellness Policy template for outdoor learning
Programming Plan
Developing a programming plan for the outdoor learning space