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.

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 grants from Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, 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, Keith Haring Foundation, New York Building Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts with support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, The Architects Foundation and Armstrong World Industries Foundation, Laura B. Vogler Foundation, and Kinder Morgan Foundation.

Thank you to our supporters: Silman, Vanguard Construction & Development, Sage and Coombe Architects, Christina Davis, Judy T. Hunt, CNY Group, John B. Simoni, Jr., Levien & Company, Loci Architecture, Moed de Armas & Shannon Architects, Robert AM Stern Architects, Roslyn Consultants, and Turner Construction.

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

Family Day weekend programs for kids ages 5-13

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

Vacation & Summer Programs for kids grades 3 -12

Three-day school vacation programs and 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.

After-School Programs for kids grades 3-8

Weekly after-school programs for students in grades 3-8, introducing architecture and design through neighborhood exploration, drawing, and hands-on building activities.

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.

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.

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.

Special Youth Programs

Architecture and Play December 15

During this drop-off program, students in grades 4-6 are invited to play with one-of-a-kind architectural toys and inventions. These creations, designed by Cooper Union students analyzing the relationship between pedagogy and architecture, will challenge participants to explore new ideas about cities, construction, and learning.

This program is sold out.

Urban Explorers at the Queens Theatre December 16

Join the Center for Architecture’s Lead Design Educator Tim Hayduk for a free family program exploring the architecture of the Queens Theatre using our new Urban Explorer activity guide. Families will learn about the theatre’s history as part of the NY State Pavilion for the 1964 World’s Fair, and explore its new lobby through sketching and scavenger hunt activities.

Urban Explorer Queens Theater Guide

Learn More