PROGRAMS FOR KIDS AND TEENS
ArchKIDecture
ArchKIDecture encourages and explains math, science, and visualarts concepts through the medium of architecture. The site includes fun online projects, lesson plans, recommended books, and more.
Archikids
Archikids is a New York City-based program of fun and creative programs with an emphasis on 3-D visualization and building for kids of all ages.
Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF)
CAF provides many engaging programs for educators, families, groups, and kids to explore Chicago’s architecture.
The teen chapter of CAF includes studio programs, competitions, and experiences to engage teens about the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction.
eGFI (Engineering, Go For It!)
This program was started by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) to promote and enhance efforts to improve K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and engineering education. Includes engineering news, a student-written blog, and newsletter.
Engineering Girl
Geared toward teenage girls, this is an online resource for links, profiles of women engineers, and interactive features introducing the basics of an engineering career.
Engineer Your Life
This is an online source of videos of inspiring women engineers, descriptions of dream engineering jobs, and many other resources for high school girls considering a career in engineering.
Imagine Engineering
A website and workshops run by the Girl Scouts organization providing mentors, advice about pursuing an engineering career, and other resources.
www.girlscouts.org/imagineengineering
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
During National Engineering Week (in February), one day is devoted to engaging and mentoring girls through workshops, lab tours, online discussions, and interactive, hands-on activities at businesses, universities, libraries, and other venues across the country.
www.eweek.org/EngineersWeek/IntroduceAGirl.aspx
Salvadori Center, New York City
The Salvadori Center helps teachers and kids explore math and science concepts, architecture, and engineering through investigation of buildings, bridges, and skyscrapers. It offers in- and out-of-school programs for New York City-area students, but there are cool things anyone can do online as well, such as exploring the Brooklyn Bridge.
Try Engineering
An online resource for students, parents, teachers, and school counselors interested in engineering careers.
PLACES TO VISIT IN PERSON OR ONLINE
Beatrix Farrand Society
Bar Harbor, Maine
Beatrix’s last home, Garland Farm, became the Beatrix Farrand Society in 2003—a nonprofit organization created to foster the art and science of horticulture and landscape design. Tours and programs are open to the public.
Contemporary Arts Center
Cincinnati, Ohio
The first museum designed by a woman in the United States and Zaha Hadid’s first design in the United States.
www.contemporaryartscenter.org
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
Oak Park, Illinois
Private tours of and educational programs are available at Frank Lloyd Wright’s private residence and workplace for the first 20 years of his architectural career. Several Wright-designed homes line the neighboring streets in Oak Park.
http://gowright.org/home-and-studio.html
San Simeon, California
Part of the California State Parks System, Hearst Castle is open to the public 362 days a year. Several tour types are available, including curriculum-based school tours.
National Building Museum
Washington, DC
This family-friendly museum near the National Mall in DC is devoted to the history and impact of the built environment. Exhibits, public programs, and festivals are dedicated to the stories of architecture, engineering, and design.
Roebling Museum
Roebling, New Jersey
Formerly the gateway to the Roebling Steel Mill, the Roebling museum houses exhibits and collections about the family business. Tours, lectures, and programs are designed for elementary and high school students.
Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library
Winterthur, Delaware
Tours of and programs about the Du Pont Family Estate and Gardens, are offered for elementary to high school students. The 60-acre naturalistic garden is one of the most renowned in the country.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Association for Women in Architecture, Los Angeles
The Association for Women in Architecture is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing and supporting positions of women in the architecture and design fields.
Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation
This nonprofit foundation was created to advance the position of women in architecture.
Chicago Women in Architecture
Founded 30 years ago, Chicago Women in Architecture is a nonprofit organization for women in architecture and related professions.
IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE)
The IEEE is the largest international professional organization dedicated to promoting women engineers and scientists and inspiring girls around the world to follow their academic interests to a career in engineering.
National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Founded by 16 women in 1953, the National Association of Women in Construction is an international association that promotes and supports the advancement and employment of women in the construction industry.
Organization of Women Architects and Design Professionals For more than 40 years, the Organization of Women Architects and Design Professionals has been an active support network in the San Francisco Bay Area for the many women involved in architecture, building engineering, planning, landscape architecture, interior and graphic design, and related environmental design fields.
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
The Society of Women Engineers is a nonprofit educational and service organization that works to help women succeed and advance in engineering careers.
http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org
Women in Architecture (a committee of the AIA)
A committee of the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Women in Architecture (at the University of Illinois)
Founded in 1998 by architecture students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the WIA provides events and networking opportunities for students at all levels, as well as professors.
www2.arch.uiuc.edu/organizations/wia
Women in Landscape Architecture (WILA)
Women in Landscape Architecture’s Professional Practice Network creates resources for women in the profession, provides mentorship opportunities, encourages discussion of work-life balance concerns, and establishes a virtual home for its members.