ARCHITECTURE ADVENTURE
DESIGNING, BUILDING AND LEARNINGAN A+ PROGRAM
Local architect visits classrooms…
sharing a passion for design and leading hands-on projects in building design and model construction.
Students take field trips…
within Oak Park and Chicago, learning our rich local history and studying built environments around the world.
The hands-on design process…
teaches kids skills relating to social studies, math, engineering, science, art, language arts and more.
We’re raising informed citizens…
who know and care about the design and planning of their community.
PLANNING, DESIGNING, BUILDING
PLANNING A COMMUNITY OUT OF RECYCLED MATERIALS
DESIGNING A VICTORIAN WITH TURRETS & SPECIAL COLORS
BUILDING A FRANK GEHRY DESIGN IN 3D
Architecture Adventure taps into Oak Park’s rich architectural history to inspire student learning. District 97 students learn about architecture, work with a visiting architect, design and build projects, and take field trips to Oak Park and Chicago sites of interest.
Launched by the Oak Park Education Foundation in the fall of 2006, Architecture Adventure takes place in 4th-5th grade and middle school art classrooms. Student work is regularly showcased in local businesses and at Village Hall.
ARCHITECTURE ADVENTURE:
- engages children in skillful decision-making
- teaches students about built environments throughout the world
- inspires students with visits to significant architectural sites
District 97 Teacher
“Students LOVED having their projects installed in a public place!”
Architecture Adventure Volunteer Architect
“Architecture Adventure pulls creativity out of each child while teaching math, geometry, cultural differences how space can be used, etc. It is an endless pathway for teaching all subjects.”
District 97 Teacher
“My math students were so excited to use their geometry knowledge in an artistic way.”
District 97 Teacher
“Students who were not normally engaged, or even interested in this topic, were thrilled working with an actual architect and technology that allowed them to be creative while learning like a professional. I, for one, learned a great deal about architecture, but also about using a program like Google Sketch Up to engage learners. An A+ program!”
Architecture Adventure News
Building Sustainable Dream Homes (on a budget)
For three weeks 5th graders at Longfellow spent their art time working with architect Maya Bird-Murphy creating their Sustainable Dream Homes. Students were given an imaginary budget of $50 to invest in sustainable strategies for their homes. They could choose from...
Ozobots & Architecture at Holmes STEM Night
Last week we were thrilled to be asked to stop by Holmes' STEM night. It gave us a chance to visit the amazing replicas of Chicago buildings created by Holmes students in Architecture Adventure. We also got to see all the creative ways students found to play with the...
Irving 5th Graders Travel the World
After viewing over 40 images of famous architecture from around the world students at Irving had the chance to recreate their favorites, thanks to Architecture Adventure. Working in small groups, the 5th graders used recycled and found objects to create structures...
“WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU”
$1,000 covers materials and tools for 30 classes working with architects and designers.
Maya Bird-Murphy
ARCHITECTURE ADVENTURE COORDINATOR
Maya holds a Bachelor and Master degree in Architecture and is a 2018 Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship Recipient and AIGA Design+Diversity Fellow. She is the founder of Chicago Mobile Makers, a nonprofit organization that offers accessible design workshops for Chicago Area youth.