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.

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 the support of the Office of the Governor 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, Con Edison, and generous donations from Alloy Development; Annie Tirschwell / Type A Projects; Carol Loewenson, FAIA; Cora Cahan and Bernard Gersten; Jill N. Lerner, FAIA; Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates; LaPlaca Cohen; Robert A. M. Stern; Roger Platt, J.D.; S&P Dow Jones; Sage and Coombe Architects; Zetlin & De Chiara, 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.

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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.

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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.

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Family Days weekend programs for kids ages 5-13

adult and child working together on a model of a bridge

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

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K-12 School Programs

Student Day introductory hands-on workshops for students

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.

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Learning By Design:NY multi-session classroom residencies

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

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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.

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Teen Programs

Design Discovery weekend workshops for high schoolers

Design Discovery SoHo promo photo resized[1]

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.

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Discover Architecture Career Exploration Program Friday, February 25th, 2022

K 12 Teen Programs Discover Architecture 400px

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.

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Architecture and Design College Fair Saturday, October 29, 2022

Free 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.

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Special Youth Programs

Architecture at Home Events Live online workshops

Live online workshops led by Center for Architecture Educators. Each 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.

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