News |Learning by Design

Center for Architecture’s Educational Field Trips Go Virtual

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July 8, 2020
by Catherine Teegarden
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images courtesy of students.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images are extracted from the slideshow presentations they created to share their findings.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images are extracted from the slideshow presentations they created to share their findings.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images are extracted from the slideshow presentations they created to share their findings.
3rd grade students from PS 52K learned about Skyscraper Design and put their new knowledge to the test by building their own structural frames using toothpicks, marshmallows, and spaghetti. Images are extracted from the slideshow presentations they created to share their findings.

As schools shifted to online learning this spring, the Center for Architecture worked with partner schools whose visits to the Center were cancelled by COVID-19 restrictions to enable students to participate in architectural field trip experiences from home.   

The Center for Architecture’s Education team created remote versions of two of our popular Student Day workshop programs “Skyscrapers: Structure and Strength” and “Building Bridges” to engage students in learning about the design of these large-scale structures. Each workshop included an interactive slideshow with step-by-step drawing exercises, dynamic structural demonstrations by our Education staff using large-scale structural props, and a culminating design challenge for students to do using simple materials at home. 

Jennifer Naccash, a participating third grade teacher from PS 52K, shared the following about her experience: 

“The Center for Architecture has been an integral part of my curriculum for many years.  I study architecture with my third graders and visit the Center for Architecture twice a year for amazing trips. Sadly, due to COVID-19, our plans changed and I expected our “Skyscrapers” trip to be cancelled. But the Center for Architecture pulled through and created an amazing interactive video for my class! The video taught my students how skyscrapers are built and provided detailed instructions for building their own skyscrapers with materials they had at home. Remote learning has been a challenge but going on our virtual trip with the Center for Architecture provided my students with a fun day and exciting activity! Their beautiful projects were featured in our school’s virtual art show! Thank you for helping me keep remote learning enjoyable and memorable!” 

We are so glad that we were able to provide this experience for various classrooms throughout New York City! To learn more about other kid-friendly activities that the Center for Architecture’s Education Department has created for students at home, please visit our Architecture at Home webpage and our Instagram for a wide range of design and building activities formatted for remote learning.  

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