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Design is Monumental: Celebrating the Untold Stories of our Everyday Heroes
In July 2023, students from across Oregon and beyond participated in our virtual Architects in Schools Summer Camp. During this camp, students took on the role of an architect and builder to identify their hero and tell their story through the design of a monument.
We are excited to publicly release the camp content again for you this Spring Break, 2024! Camp material is free, self-paced, and designed for youth ages 8-12. Everything you need can be found on this page!
How It Works
Each day of the five-day-long camp, students work through a lesson, watch videos featuring architects and design professionals, and complete a design activity or two. Everything is self-paced and can be found on this page, so take as much time as you want to work through the materials. We recommend students work through the content day by day and in order.
Students don’t have to complete everything if they are interested in some activities more than others. On the flip side, we have included daily bonus challenges for students who want more designing fun. Keep scrolling to get started!
All camp material below will remain available until April 30, 2024. Download a list of recommended art supplies.
Day 1: Why is the Design of Monuments Important?
Begin by downloading and printing out the Student Architect Journal. This is your student’s space to write, sketch, design, think out loud and develop numerous creative ideas!
Download the Day 1 Lesson. This document will lead your student through camp activities for the day. We recommend students view this document digitally so they can click on the embedded web links.
During Day 1, students will explore part 1 of the design process, which is to ask questions and brainstorm. They will brainstorm who their hero is, create a collage to gather inspiration, and identify the core principles that will guide the design of their monument. Have your student follow the Day 1 Lesson and the Student Architect Journal to complete these activities.
Looking for more architecture fun? Try out the Day 1 Bonus Challenge: “Design a Functional Folder” on page 16 of the Architect Journal.
Use this form to share your student’s work with us! bit.ly/aisSC23-shareyourwork
Each day of camp, we offered a live session for students to continue learning about design, connect with design professionals, and get more instruction on the activities for the day.
Watch the video below to participate in this live activity!
Day 2: What is Your Monument’s Story?
Download the Day 2 Lesson and have your student view it digitally so they can click on the embedded web links. This document will lead them through camp activities for the day. Remember the Student Architect Journal from Day 1? Keep it nearby. Students will use it everyday throughout the camp.
During Day 2, students will explore part 2 of the design process, which is to research and communicate their designs. They will think about what they want people to feel when visiting their monument. They will start to explore what shapes, colors and materials their monument will be made of. They will think about their hero’s story and how that can best be expressed through the design of a monument. Have your student follow the Day 2 Lesson and the Student Architect Journal to complete these activities.
Still want to do more? Try out the Day 2 Bonus Challenge: “Neighborhood Monument Map” on pages 25 and 26 of the Architect Journal.
Use this form to share your student’s work with us! bit.ly/aisSC23-shareyourwork
Each day of camp, we offered a live session for students to continue learning about design, connect with design professionals, and get more instruction on the activities for the day.
Watch the video below to participate in this live activity!
Day 3: Feedback Makes Our Designs Better
Download the Day 3 Lesson and have your student view it digitally so they can click on the embedded web links. This document will lead them through camp activities for the day. Be sure to have the Student Architect Journal from Day 1 nearby.
During Day 3, students will explore part 3 of the design process, which is to ask for feedback and revise their design. They will learn why it is important for designers to seek feedback from others and how feedback can be given in a helpful and constructive way. They will then work on revising their designs based on the feedback they receive. Have your student follow the Day 3 Lesson and the Student Architect Journal to complete these activities.
Excited about today’s lesson? Try out the Day 3 Bonus Challenge: “Draw or Act it Out!” on page 34 of the Architect Journal.
Use this form to share your student’s work with us! bit.ly/aisSC23-shareyourwork
Each day of camp, we offered a live session for students to continue learning about design, connect with design professionals, and get more instruction on the activities for the day.
Watch the video below to participate in this live activity!
Day 4: Discover the Details of Your Monument
Download the Day 4 Lesson and have your student view it digitally so they can click on the embedded web links. This document will lead them through camp activities for the day. Be sure to have the Student Architect Journal from Day 1 nearby.
During Day 4, students will explore part 4 of the design process, which is to refine their design. They will learn about different architectural drawings and work on creating an elevation and detailed drawings that show the design of their monument. This is the final step before they are ready to build! Have your student follow the Day 4 Lesson and the Student Architect Journal to complete these activities.
Want to try another activity? Complete the Day 4 Bonus Challenge: “Heroes Holiday!” on pages 41 and 42 of the Architect Journal.
Use this form to share your student’s work with us! bit.ly/aisSC23-shareyourwork
Each day of camp, we offered a live session for students to continue learning about design, connect with design professionals, and get more instruction on the activities for the day.
Watch the video below to participate in this live activity!
Day 5: Build Your Monument!
You made it to the final day of camp! Download the Day 5 Lesson and have your student view it digitally so they can click on the embedded web links. This document will lead them through camp activities for the day. Be sure to have the Student Architect Journal from Day 1 nearby.
During Day 5, students will explore the final steps in the design process, which is to create and improve. They will spend the day constructing a model of their monument for their special hero. Get creative with the supplies you have! Gather any recycled materials, paper, and arts and craft supplies that students can use. Have them follow the Day 5 Lesson and the Student Architect Journal to complete this activity.
Looking for one last activity to do? Check out the Day 5 Bonus Challenge: “Create a Historical Marker!” on pages 45 and 46 of the Architect Journal.
Use this form to share your student’s work with us! bit.ly/aisSC23-shareyourwork
Visit our Camp Board to check out work completed by our 2023 AiS Campers!
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Each day of camp, we offered a live session for students to continue learning about design, connect with design professionals, and get more instruction on the activities for the day.
Watch the video below to participate in this live activity!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Questions?
Contact:
Kim Ruthardt Knowles
Associate Director, Architects in Schools
kim@af-oregon.org
503-317-7537
Candice Agahan
Education Program Manager
candice@af-oregon.org
503-542-3823
Sam Majors
Education Outreach Associate
sam@af-oregon.org
971-357-3178