Architecture for Kids Program Expands to Draper
This year, teacher Ashley Fricker at Draper Elementary began an after-school “Architecture Club” to involve kids in UCFA’s award-winning Educating Elementary Children Through Architecture (EECTA) program. Ms. Fricker had incorporated EECTA in her classroom curriculum at a prior school and believed it valuable enough to devote after-school time for the children interested in participating. She had over 20 students join in.
EECTA gives students a hands-on opportunity to use their creativity to apply design, math, science, and communication skills to create their dream city. Architects from local firms and architecture students from the University of Utah volunteer their time to teach the children, with teachers providing classroom support, for an hour a week over eight weeks.
On April 20, 10 classrooms of 4th and 5th graders, including Ms. Fricker’s Architecture Club students, will join their squares of a city grid to create a giant “Box City” in the Urban Room of the Salt Lake City Main Public Library. Parents, teachers, students, architecture mentors, and community members are invited to the Box City “dedication” at 7:00 p.m. in the Library’s auditorium.
Box City will be on display during Architecture Week, from Monday evening April 20 – Friday, April 24. Don’t miss the colorful future these kids imagine!
If you’re interested in bringing EECTA to your school, contact Evan Haslam at Think Architecture, 801-269-0055. We are especially interested in reaching Title 1 schools. Donations for materials to help this all-volunteer effort succeed are also welcome. Donate
2015 EECTA Sponsors – We Thank You!
Babcock Design Group
Blackbox Design Studios
EDA Architects
MHTN Architects
RAW Design
Think Architecture
VCBO Architecture
Students from the University of Utah College of Architecture + Planning
Salt Lake City Main Public Library
Schools: Beacon Heights Elementary, Canyonview Elementary, Draper Elementary, Oakdale Elementary, Uintah Elementary, and Upland Terrace Elementary
