We have encountered some incredibly innovative uses of Airstream trailers recently, so we wanted to share with you about how Airstreams are enriching lives, serving as a place of learning and even helping teachers and staff have a place to relax!
Kansas University MoCOLAB: KU’s Mobile Collaboratory is a repurposed 1971 31’ Airstream Land Yacht that has a new and fresh purpose: KU’s classroom on wheels! Many faculty and staff at Kansas University work in community issues, ranging from design and planning to public health, so the MoCOLAB was created to assist in their work in the community to aid in collaboration with their community partners.
The Airstream was designed with flexibility in mind, so that it can be transformed into a science laboratory, a classroom, a conference space and even an art gallery. The MoCOLAB has audio and video presentation resources both inside and outside the trailer and even has foldable work surfaces to make it as efficient as possible.
New York Lower East Side Girl’s Club: The Lower East Side Girl’s Club recently debuted their new WGRL Internet Broadcast Station, housed inside of an Airstream! The Airstream houses a professional-level streaming, recording and teaching studio. It includes a live room for radio, vocals and instruments as well as a control room and will serve as the space to produce and mix Internet radio programming for the LESGC. It will even be able to record live student performances from the stage of the community room where the Airstream sits. The Airstream Internet Broadcasting Station will provide a great training opportunity for young teens!
Ann Richard’s School for Young Women Leaders: Students at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders renovated an Airstream so their teachers could have a place to relax and call their own! This pay-it-forward story started when teachers at the school gave up their teacher’s lounge so the school’s custodians could have a resting place.
The school’s foundation bought the 1977 Airstream and the school named this endeavor, “Project Ventura.” Students spent months refurbishing the Airstream and getting it ready for the teachers by ripping up old wood, patching the floor and even putting in new wiring! After about a year, the Airstream project was complete, ready for teachers to enjoy!
Do you know of an Airstream that is being used in an innovative way? Be sure to share with us on Facebook!
Photo credit: Cheryl Fleming courtesy of Walters-Storyk Design Group-WSDG
