On May 29th, Ai3 team members Jonathan Quell, Isabella Lemonias, and Kristen Baker returned to Mindess Elementary School in Ashland, MA for their 2nd year participating in the school’s annual Science & Technology Symposium. The Symposium helps the Mindess School achieve its commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education to promote student learning and to create interest in future STEM-related careers. Presenters were asked to share their STEM profession with the 3rd-5th grade students in three 45-minute hands-on workshops.
Ai3 engaged students in a brief presentation that included an introduction to the field of architecture and what architects do, an explanation of how we get our school projects from initial conceptual design to final completion, as well as how STEM plays a huge role in what Ai3 does. The students were amazed by the virtual tour we gave them of one of our most recent school designs. The students were then provided an opportunity to plan like architects, being tasked with designing a building of their choice to be located on the site of their existing school. Building with a rainbow assortment of 3D-printed Tetris-shaped blocks, the enthusiastic bunch impressed us with all their different ideas and creations, including a community gathering space, a parkour course, an ice skating rink, an arcade, a performing arts theater, and even a dungeon. The students loved seeing their masterpieces come to life on the 3D-printed model of the Mindess School site.
We were delighted to participate in yet another fun and interactive learning opportunity with the Mindess students. We were impressed with the students’ creativity and enthusiasm, and we certainly hope that we managed to inspire a few future architects!