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A Kids Guide to...
Students look into their community's historical changes. In this community lesson, students see what draws people to their community and research important buildings or national historic sites. They look at local architecture and the...
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Back to Basics
Students examine the unique and diverse historical artifacts that people have designed to fulfill their everyday needs in extraordinary ways. They identify ways humans have used design throughout history to enhance the ways they meet...
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Paper Architecture - Designing Human Spaces
Students design, then construct an architectural structural model of a two-person dwelling. Then, Students, in groups, plan a city layout.
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Introduction to Unit V-Transformations
Students investigate transformations. In this Algebra I/Geometry lesson, students explore reflections, translations, rotations and dilations. The lesson includes examples of transformations in art, architecture, and nature.
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Play on Architecture
Students describe how buildings effect them emotionally. They recognize and describe at least five components of a particular building as metaphors for parts of the human body [Footing), heart(h), eye (window), door(mouth), face(facade),...
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Treasure Hunters
Students design an on campus treasure hunt to find various architectural vocabulary words which they then create definitions for on the blog page on the Environmental Design website.
Teach Engineering
Designing a Sustainable Guest Village in the Saguaro National Park
Brainstorm ideas to design a sustainable guest village in the Sonoran Desert. The first installment of a nine-part unit teaches young environmental scientists about the basics of the Saguaro National Park and about sustainable design....
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Gingerbread Architecture: An Exploration and Engineering
Eighth graders design and build a gingerbread house. In this technology lesson, 8th graders research the important components of a house. They evaluate the strength of their design and suggest modifications when necessary.
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Introduction to Modernist Poetry
Students analyze modernist poetry in depth and detail. The several historical, social, and cultural forces that prompted the modernist movement and its effects are examined in this lesson.
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Math: Designing a Playground
Sixth graders design and draw a model playground to scale. They configure the layout to include a sandbox, slide, baseball field and other equipment. Their design includes adaptations for students with disabilities. Their designs are...
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Gothic Architecture
Students examine Gothic architecture. In this architecture instructional activity, students view a slide show of Gothic structures and attributes. Students then research the symbolism in Gothic churches. As a culminating activity...
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Gateway to the Arts
Students redesign a dead space in the school to create an interesting and stimulating visual environment. In this art design lesson, students look at how to redesign architectural space and research ways to enhance a space. Students then...
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The Humanitarian Side of Architecture
High schoolers explore the role that architects play in rebuilding communities after natural disasters. They investigate the aftermath of the 1906 California earthquake and fires, and current day efforts to rebuild communities after...
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Gargoyles: Ceramics
Study the symbolism and significance of Gargoyles throughout the Gothic era, and then make one. Kids visit three different websites to learn about these goolish protectors, then hone their sculpting skills while making one. They make...
New Museum of Contemporary Art
Lesson: Unmonumental: Fallen and Disappearing Monuments
Due to vandalism, war, and urban decay, many of the world's great monuments have fallen to ruin. Here is an interesting lesson that increases understanding of the dichotomy between what are intended as lasting tributes, and their...
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Lesson: Urban China: Contemporary China
The urbanization and consumerism of modern China is the hot topic up for critical analysis. Kids view a series of photographs that specifically describe Chinese modernization, urbanization, consumerism, and waste. They discuss each...
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Mathematics of Ornaments and Architecture
Students study African traditional architecture. They examine how African ornaments, wall painting and motifs use geometric shapes to express and explain the culture.
They discuss the ornaments and architectural designs in the setting...
NYC Department of Records
Citizenship and Elections: The Importance of a Ballot
Approximately 58 prcent of those eligible voted in the 2016 US Presidential election. In an attempt to impress upon learners the importance of voting and voting rights, class members examine primary source documents related to the...
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Less is More: Realizing Mathematics Through Agriculture
Students study the architectural designs of different popular sites. In this math lesson, students draw a grid diagram. They explain what geodesic algorithms are used for.
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The Great Spoon Challenge: Form and Function
Students organize objects in terms of form and function. For this architecture lesson, students are introduced to the ideas of form and function by playing a game in which they organize spoons in different ways. Extension activities are...
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Technology and Medicine
Young scholars watch a video and continue with research of Ancient Rome and the quest for knowledge. They form expert groups to study one aspect of life in Ancient Rome and share with the rest of the class.
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Urban Rocks: Investigating Stone Used for Buildings and Monuments
Students observe the rocks and stones used to build and carve monuments during a field trip.
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House Design and Installation of Products
Students design a "dream house" and plan to install flooring, tile and other products that are bought by a certain measurement. Problem solving be used in determining how much of each product to use and the total cost of each installed.
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Race the Track! Design Challenge
Learners use the design process to investigate physical science. In this force and motion activity, design a track to achieve a specified outcome. Students complete additional experiments with speed and distance. Learners recognize the...