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Architects in Schools

Architects in Schools (AiS) matches volunteer design and building professionals with elementary school teachers to provide free design education for youth. Our school-year program and summer camp creates lifelong learners and critical thinkers who have a greater understanding of their environment and its impact on people’s lives. Learn more.

Volunteer for our school-year program: Applications open in August with an October deadline
Volunteer for our virtual summer camp: Applications open open in May with a June deadline

Design Advocacy Outreach Group (DAO-G)

Hosted by AFO and AIA Oregon, DAO-G meets quarterly with the mission of increasing student access to architecture, engineering, construction, and design fields in the state of Oregon. As a group of local partners who are aligned around this shared mission, DAO-G meetings are a time for us to harness this network to share opportunities for students, volunteer needs, resources, outreach efforts, and more.

Join DAO-G: Accepting registration on a rolling basis

Formation: The Design Mentorship Collaborative

In partnership with Diversity in Design and COMMA, Formation is a paid mentorship program for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) college juniors and seniors studying design. Students are paired with established BIPOC design professionals to build relationships and their professional network so they can thrive in the design industry once they’ve graduated. Learn more.

Sign up to become a mentor: Applications open in September with a November deadline

Honored Citizen

Our signature event of the year brings the broader architecture community together for one night to honor the contributions of our selected Honored Citizen and support our mission. Volunteers help ensure the success of our 500+ person celebration and receive free admission to the event. Learn more.

Sign up to volunteer: Sign-ups open in September for the October event

PARTNER PROGRAMS

ACE Mentorship – For architecture, construction, or engineering professionals interested in working with Oregon high school students to introduce them to the industry’s wide range of career opportunities. ACE is a great way to support students, strengthen your networks and build our future workforce. 

Building Blocks 2 Success – Engineers and STEM professionals, help children discover the fun in science, technology and STEM. Activities include teaching basic core concepts, creating blueprints, building LEGO inventions, sharing team activities in a public speaking style delivery, team activities, preparing for tournaments and building tournament robots.

NOMA PDX Architecture Summer Camp – During this 3-day summer camp, introduce middle school students (grades 6-8/ages 11-14), with a focus on those who have been historically underrepresented in the profession, to the field of architecture and design. Students are mentored by local architects, designers, and community members to develop skills and tools to contribute to their community critically and constructively.

Oregon Connections – Industry professionals share their expertise, bringing real-world, authentic learning opportunities to Oregon students (K-20). Host virtual or in-person tours, industry chats, classes, or respond directly to teacher requests.

Oregon MESA – Work with underrepresented students in STEM to unlock solutions to the world’s toughest problems, such as eliminating poverty and disease, conserving finite resources, and creating renewable energy sources. Virtual and in-person opportunities.

Portland Workforce Alliance Construction Mentorship Program – The PWA Construction Mentor Program is a career-mentoring opportunity that allows high school students to prepare for trades professions and sustainable industry practices, with a focus on electrical, while receiving career development and real-world connections.

SchoolsNEXT Design Competition – A mentoring opportunity open to design and building professionals looking to work with middle school students throughout the annual SchoolsNEXT Design Competition. Mentors assist with teaching about their career skills and knowledge, design and the built environment.

Host an Intern

De La Salle North Catholic High School Corporate Work Study Program – Students fill entry-level office positions in banking, law, healthcare, finance, architecture, engineering, and more. The CWS experience provides a tremendous opportunity for underserved students to get a college-prep education and solid professional skills, while at the same time providing a diverse, motivated, enthusiastic entry-level workforce for Corporate Partners.

The Script – The Script matches your company with college students and recent graduates eager to contribute while gaining real-world experience. Interns are prepared for success through mock interviews, professional development events and resources, and a supportive peer network. Employers provide structured, full-time internships with one-on-one mentoring throughout the summer.

Energy Trust Net Zero Emerging Leaders Internship – A Net Zero Emerging Leaders intern helps your firm continue to advance high-performance design strategies. Apply to receive financial support to offer a 12-week paid internship to a current undergraduate or graduate student.

Saturday Academy Apprenticeships in STEAM Exploration (ASE) – Inspire the next generation of STEAM professionals by supporting a high school student in an 8-week, full-time summer internship.

AFO believes that all adults working with youth have a responsibility to not create harm, to give youth space to express their true selves, to look to them as experts, and to center them in our teaching and learning. AFO understands that these are skills that require ongoing learning and will help us be more empathetic and effective teachers, mentors and leaders.

Here you will find training and workshop opportunities that will help prepare you for working with youth of all backgrounds.

Architecture Foundation of Oregon Trauma-Informed Practices Workshops
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OregonASK Trainings
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Elearning Professional Development Opportunities – OregonASK Elearnings are cost-saving, time-efficient, and an effective way for afterschool educators to earn Oregon Registry credit while providing high-quality professional development.

New Staff Orientation Elearning Package – These self-paced courses introduce core concepts, shared vocabulary, and practical strategies that support positive youth engagement, inclusive environments, and effective behavior support.

Afterschool & Summer Staff Elearning Package – Empower your afterschool and summer program staff with an Elearning package designed to build confidence, creativity, and inclusive practices from day one.

Portland Metro STEM Partnership Workshops
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Organizations geared toward supporting architecture, engineering and construction professionals in Oregon and beyond.

• American Council of Engineering Companies of Oregon (ACEC Oregon)
• American Institute of Architects Oregon (AIA Oregon)
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
• Association for Learning Environments (A4LE)
• Construction Specifications Institute Portland (CSI Portland)
  Construction Specifications Institute Willamette Valley (CSI Willamette Valley)
• Design-Build Institute of America Oregon Chapter (DBIA Oregon)
• Diversity in Design (DiD)
• Energy Trust of Oregon
• International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
• National Association of Minority Contractors – Oregon (NAMC-Oregon)
• National Organization of Minority Architects Portland Chapter (NOMA PDX)
• National Society of Black Engineers – Portland Professionals (NSBE Pro PDX)
• New Buildings Institute
• Professional Engineers of Oregon
• Room for More
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Marketing Professional Services Oregon (SMPS Oregon)
• Urban Land Institute Northwest (ULI Northwest)