Introducing architecture and design to the next generation

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[["images-card",{"images":[{"url":"http:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/dpcbzfiye\/image\/upload\/v1690903708\/y9qtjwxahu7wyx4tbsdr.png","id":"6653309"}],"caption":"Girl Scouts participating in the hands-on Lego activity at the National Girl Scout Convention."}]],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aiamemphis.org\/","target","_blank"]],["strong"],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/154816-k-12-initiatives","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.ncarb.org\/sites\/default\/files\/GuidetoArchCareer.pdf","target","_blank"]]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"A new generation of architects and design professionals can be anywhere\u2014in different places, and from different backgrounds, currently focused on different hobbies and interests. When potential members of that next generation gather, being there to educate them on architecture is a priority for AIA. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"AIA leaders, including 2023 President Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, and Amber Lombardo, AIA, Executive Director, AIA Memphis, traveled to the 2023 Triennial Girl Scout Convention to introduce these young leaders to what architecture is and to help demystify the profession. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"More than 10,000 troop leaders, volunteers, Girl Scout of the USA staff, parents, partners and principally\u2014Girl Scouts\u2014attended the Convention, which occurs once every three years and took place July 18-22 at Disney\u2019s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"AIA developed highly engaging, hands-on design activities for the AIA booth in the convention\u2019s \u201cHall of Experiences\u201d which featured a \u201cmentorship zone,\u201d where Grandstaff-Rice participated in a speed mentoring exchange discussing careers in architecture and design. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"She shared insight on the profession and offered tips and advice about the path to a career in architecture. She told Girl Scouts about her specific career pathway, her current position and what she learned along the way, and ultimately, she helped Girl Scouts explore new areas of interest that may not have known about. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Teaching architecture and design means fostering a love of learning and discovery across all core subject areas, cultivating students\u0027 innate creativity, and enhancing their observation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"AIA\u2019s booth featured a hands-on Lego design activity where Girl Scouts were prompted to modify a pre-designed house using Lego blocks to help mitigate climate related environmental issues, such as heat gain, flooding and resilience to extreme weather conditions "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cI was a Girl Scout and it taught me to try things that were outside of my comfort zone,\u201d said Grandstaff-Rice. \u201cWe\u2019ve met so many interesting girls who have given us great ideas in the design challenge we put forth to them.\u201d "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"According to Lombardo, many of the Girl Scouts immediately wanted to \u201cdemonstrate their skills\u201d that they had acquired within a lifetime of using Legos. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cOnce they arrived, they learned that a lifetime of building Lego cities is actually behaving like an architect,\u201d said Lombardo. \u201cAs they started to think through how the buildings were situated or if there was enough green space or how to make it more pedestrian friendly then we would explain to them that those kinds of decision-making outcomes were aspects of the architectural profession.\u201d "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Like Grandstaff-Rice, Lombardo was a Girl Scout herself, starting in fourth grade. As a college student, she became a volunteer troop leader, and when she became a mom, she was the troop leader for her own kids. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"As Executive Director of AIA Memphis, Lombardo is working to establish strong relationships with local Girl Scout troops to get young people interested in architecture by emphasizing their forthcoming Center for Architecture + Design (CiV), which opens on September 1 at the Beale Street Landing in Tom Lee Park. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"According to its "],[0,[0],1,"website"],[0,[],0,", \u201cCiV is building exhibits to educate the public - and especially youth - about the value of design,\u201d while AIA Memphis will create outward-focused programs specifically to engage the public. "]]],[10,0],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Collaboration "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Lombardo calls the Girl Scouts \u201cthe perfect organization\u201d for AIA to collaborate with. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cThe Girl Scouts are incorporated in virtually all communities in the United States, especially those with underrepresented populations. Scouting is specifically designed to help kids learn life skills,\u201d said Lombardo. \u201cThey have a structure in place where they meet in the smallest towns and communities, their leadership is already there and their primary initiatives mirror ours exactly: equity and diversity, climate action, and an overt celebration of Pride and the LGBTQ+ community.\u201d "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Ultimately, AIA\u2019s "],[0,[2],1,"renewed focus on working with K-12 students"],[0,[],0," to get them thinking about architecture as a career path lends itself to continued work with Girl Scouts and myriad other identity-based groups. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"AIA, along with ASCA (Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture), AIAS (American Institute of Architects Students), NAAB (National Architecture Accreditation Board), NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards), and NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) developed the "],[0,[3],1,"Alliance Guide to A Career in Architecture"],[0,[],0,", which acts as a resource for \u201cthe next generation of architects.\u201d The guide recommends coursework in middle school and high school, suggests potential college degrees and pathways for aspiring architects and breaks down the licensure process. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cI\u2019m hopeful that AIA at large will encourage components to be intentional about incorporating the Girl Scouts into our programming,\u201d said Lombardo. \u201cIt\u2019ll feed our pipeline. There are so many talented kids that are being taught the values that come with being a Girl Scout. It\u2019s the perfect pool of candidates to get the next generation of trailblazers and grab them before other professions do.\u201d "]]]]}