K-12 - Center for Architecture

The Center for Architecture promotes public understanding and appreciation of architecture and design through educational programs for K-12 students and teachers, families, and the general public.

Nurture your budding architect through free, online Architecture At Home activities. These short, easy to follow design projects use simple materials to get kids exploring.

Outside of the current COVID-19 pandemic, our programs take place at the Center for Architecture and in schools and community sites throughout the New York metropolitan area.

Sponsors

K-12 educational programs are supported, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council, the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation Philanthropic Arts Program, and generous donations from Carol Loewenson, FAIA; Judy T. Hunt; John B. Simoni, Jr. Esq; Christina R. Davis; Sharon Liebowitz; Sciame; Loci Architecture; CNY Group; COOPER ROBERTSON; Loring Consulting Engineers; Deborah Berke & Partners Architects; Delacour Family Foundation; Katie Devlin; Steven Holl Architects; Tom Krizmanic, AIA; Kenneth Lewis, AIA and Jennifer Orkin Lewis; Linda Yowell, FAIA; Zetlin & De Chiara; AKF; and generous individual and corporate donors.

K-12 Summer Program, 2017. Photo: Erik Bardin.

K-12 Learning By Design Program, 2016. Photo: Center for Architecture.

K-12 Student Day, Skyscrapers, 5th Grade. Photo: Center for Architecture.

K-12 Summer Program, 2017. Photo: Erik Bardin.

K-12 Student Day, Green Architecture, 3rd Grade. Photo: Center for Architecture.

K-12 Student Day, Exhibition Program, 5th Grade. Photo: Center for Architecture.

Youth & Family Programs

After-School Programs for kids grades 3-12

Weekly after-school programs for students in grades 3-12, introducing architecture and design through exploration, drawing, and hands-on building activities.

Learn More

Vacation Programs for kids grades 3-12

Three-day school vacation programs for students in grades 3-12, exploring topics in architecture and design through art and design activities, walking tours, and site visits.

Learn More

Summer Programs for kids grades 3-12

Week-long summer programs for students in grades 3-12, exploring topics in architecture and design through art and design activities, walking tours, and site visits.

Learn More

Family Days weekend programs for kids ages 5-13

Weekend public programs about architecture and design for youth ages 5-13 and their families.

Learn More

K-12 School Programs

Student Day K-12 workshops at the Center for Architecture

K-12 Student Day, Scale Model Building, 7th Grade. Photo: Center for Architecture.

Student Day workshops are two-hour, hands-on programs for school groups interested in enriching their classroom learning through the disciplines of architecture, engineering, urban planning, and design.

Learn More

Learning By Design:NY K-12 in-school residency program

Learning By Design:NY is a multi-session classroom residency program that weaves architecture and design into the classroom curriculum.

Learn More

Professional Development design teaching strategies for instructors

Offered to classroom teachers, professional development workshops introduce participants to built environment education teaching strategies, activities, and curricula.

Learn More

Teen Programs

Discover Architecture Career Exploration Program

The Center for Architecture in conjunction with AIA New York offers a career development program for current high school students interested in learning more about the field of architecture. Participants will have the opportunity to gain valuable insight and exposure to real life projects and practice from local architecture firms.

Learn More

Design Discovery weekend workshops for high schoolers

Design Discovery workshops are for high school students interested in learning more about the city’s built environment and developing their architectural design skills. Offered on weekends during the school year.

Learn More

Architecture and Design College Fair October 2021

An annual FREE Architecture and Design College Fair. Representatives from colleges, universities, and design programs nationwide will be on-hand to meet with students and answer questions about applying to architecture school.

Learn More

Special Youth Programs

Architecture at Home Events Free, live, online workshops

Free, live, online workshops led by Center for Architecture Educators. Each 45-minute session explores an architectural topic through virtual tours, interactive lessons and discussions, and gets kids started on a design project they can complete on their own with simple at-home materials.

Learn More