When selecting themes for your classroom, you aren’t choosing a one-size-fits-all solution. At Exploration Zones by Exhibit Concepts, Inc., we understand that every district has its own set of goals, preferences, and parameters. Whether your vision is to transport students to the vastness of the ocean, to a jungle, or an international marketplace, our mission is to collaborate with you to create a learning environment that aligns with your district’s needs.
Flexibility in Execution
Environment & Space
One of the first considerations when designing an experiential learning environment is the space available. Exhibit Concepts has the expertise to adapt and work within any space parameters, regardless of size or layout.
- Limited Space: Some schools may only have one classroom available for an experiential environment. In those cases, a convertible classroom offers a versatile solution. Today, the students could be exploring the mysteries of outer space, but next month the same room could be converted into a rainforest or Farm-to-Table experience.
- Ample Space: For districts with larger facilities, we can design permanent themed environments for each room. That means students don’t have to wait for the room to transform—they can jump from a construction site to the polar region or a laboratory, all within the same school.
- Common Areas: It’s not just about classrooms. Some schools choose to place these immersive spaces in common areas, such as libraries, hallways, or hubs shared by several classrooms.
- Field Trip Destination or Mobile Units: For districts aiming to make a wider community impact, we offer field trip destination exhibits, where students can visit specialized learning centers for fully immersive educational experiences. We also create mobile units, bringing the experience directly into the community or shared between multiple schools. Whether it’s a fixed location or a mobile style exhibit, we offer customized experiences that cater to schools and communities alike.
Exploration Zones for All
As with any project, budget plays a significant role in the scope of your experiential classroom.
Elemental Solutions: For districts with budget constraints, we offer immersive experiences that prioritize educational value, while being mindful of costs. These spaces focus on creating engaging thematic environments through elements such as vibrant murals, thematic props, and simple tactile features that encourage exploration and learning without the need for complex technology or a major space overhaul.
These environments are designed to maximize creativity and imagination, offering students a hands-on learning experience that doesn’t compromise on engagement or educational impact.
Our Elemental Solutions are perfect for districts looking for cost-effective, durable, and flexible designs that can be easily maintained and adapted. While more straightforward, these solutions still offer immersive educational environments that inspire curiosity and a love for learning, making them a strong investment in student development.
Signature Solutions: For districts ready to make a larger investment, we offer elevated immersive experiences designed to captivate and inspire students. These spaces can include tech-focused features, larger custom thematic elements, and customizable soundscapes, allowing for dynamic, multi-sensory learning.
These environments can also incorporate thematic learning resources offering an integrated learning journey that aligns with curriculum goals. Every element is carefully designed to not only engage students but also reinforce key educational concepts through active, hands-on participation. To support the transition from a traditional classroom to experiential learning, we offer a range of professional development opportunities, emphasizing the theory.
Personal Preference and Customization
One of the most impactful ways to customize your environment is selecting the themes. You can choose a theme from our vast library of existing designs or request a truly custom design and experience. Regardless of whether you choose a custom or pre-existing theme, your environment and all the finishings are customized to fit your physical spaces.
This is where our versatility truly shines. Using Space City as an example:
Do you want your Space theme to feel like a realistic NASA station, or would you prefer a more whimsical, cartoon-like representation of the solar system? Do you envision your Space-themed room filled with a rover, or would you prefer a large spaceship as the focal point? From realistic murals of constellations and galaxies to more playful designs featuring bright colors and space creatures, the design is entirely up to you. Even the flooring can be customized: you could choose designs that mimic the surface of the moon, the Milky Way, or layers of planets.
Thematic Learning Resources
Our custom themed educational materials and resources are where the experiential impact really comes alive. With every theme, we provide tools that allow teachers to create an immersive, hands-on learning experience to support your curriculum.
- For example, in the Space-themed rooms, we offer themed educational materials including astronaut suits, planet models, and space exploration activities to make sure students don’t just learn about space—they experience it. These types of themed materials and resources are available for every pre-existing theme and can be developed for custom themes as well.
- For younger students, we provide themed materials for phonemic awareness along with STEM resources, such as pattern blocks with custom mats featuring designs like spaceships, shooting stars, or telescopes. Older students engage in more sophisticated STEM-focused activities.
- These custom thematic learning resources are developmentally appropriate and are adjusted for different age groups—from pre-K to middle school.
Why Customization Matters
When it comes to learning, one size doesn’t fit all. Every school and district has different objectives, and the same flexibility we bring to our themes can be applied across any subject. The goal is to build environments where students not only learn but thrive. Whether you’re a large district with multiple campuses or a smaller one with space limitations, we can build an experience that aligns with your needs.
At Exploration Zones, we take pride in creating museum-quality experiential spaces designed to ignite curiosity and foster deep learning. Whatever theme you envision, we’ll tailor it to your needs, your environment, and your budget. Let’s work together to build a learning environment that truly brings education to life.
