Faculty Focus features highlight the innovative teaching practices, projects, and accomplishments of faculty across Austin Community College (ACC). Through this initiative, faculty are invited to share experiences ranging from classroom strategies and service-learning projects to research, presentations, and community collaborations.

In this feature, Psychology faculty member Rosarita Voss highlights a collaborative classroom project that challenged students to apply developmental psychology concepts by designing a playground that supports children’s growth and development. The assignment encouraged students to connect course concepts with real-world design while demonstrating creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking.

​Interested in reading more highlights of what faculty are doing across the College? View all Faculty Focus blog features here.

Hands-on learning helps students better understand complex concepts by giving them opportunities to apply what they learn in meaningful ways. In Rosarita Voss’ Introduction to Psychology eight-week hybrid course, students put developmental psychology into practice through a hands-on classroom project.

“Students work collaboratively to apply psychological concepts by designing a developmentally appropriate playground that supports children’s biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial growth,” Voss said.

This summer, students Breonna Benford and Genesis Garcia stood out for their exceptional work on the project. Their completed playground diorama demonstrated creativity, thoughtful planning, and a strong understanding of developmental psychology, earning recognition for both the quality of their work and their collaborative approach.

​Voss praised Benford and Garcia for going above and beyond on the assignment. “Breonna Benford and Genesis Garcia exceeded expectations by creating an outstanding playground diorama that demonstrates creativity, teamwork, critical thinking, and the practical application of psychological principles,” she explained.

The diorama is now on display at the Highland Campus Library, where it serves as an example of experiential learning and academic excellence for the ACC community.

​”I am honored to recognize their exceptional achievement and the dedication they demonstrated throughout this project,” Voss reflected.

​Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to visit the Highland Campus Library to view the playground diorama, which will remain on display through the summer semester. The exhibit highlights how classroom learning can be transformed into engaging, real-world applications while showcasing the creativity and dedication of ACC students.

 Share Your Faculty Focus Story

Have a teaching strategy, classroom project, collaboration, publication, presentation, or accomplishment you would like to share with colleagues across ACC? The Office of Academic Affairs Communications invites faculty to submit a Faculty Focus feature!