TLCD continues our tradition of participating in the Mike Hauser Academy (MHA) which is a STEM “summer camp” sponsored by the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce. The three-week program provides incoming 9th grade English Language Learner (ELL) students, and students who could benefit from extra math and science support the opportunity to visit STEM related companies.
Having participated in the MHA program for many years, it was disappointing to have the program cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. However, we were thrilled to be back in the saddle this year, engaging with young people and showing them what the profession of architecture is all about.
This year’s course was held at Comstock Middle School in Santa Rosa. Social distancing rules were in place and no group projects were allowed, but we still had a lot of fun. Our role in the course spanned 2 days, and we were able to use technology to connect with some of our staff who were working REALLY remotely (one from Austin, Texas!) as well as doing a TLCD Architecture office tour via iPhone.
The students each designed a “parklet” in model form which taught them how to use scale and measurement and dovetailed nicely into spontaneous math lessons from their teacher Ms. “L”.
Ms. “L” is hoping that the students will continue to work on their parklets over the next 3 weeks and send us photos when they are done. We’re looking forward to seeing the photos, and participating again next year with a new group of students.
