Exploring Infrastructure

Exploring Architecture

Maker Monday


We all benefit from the brilliant work of architects. Architects design the buildings and structures we use every day. Some architects start their designs on paper and then use computers to create specific plans for builders to follow.    

Today, you will become an architect and design your own space!


Step 1: Have you ever thought about the buildings in your city? Who designs our homes and  schools? Architects! Learn more about what architects do from an interview with an architect! 

Step 2: Archie the Architect needs some help creating a space for her community. Download this free workbook to help Archie and become an architect! Pages 1-9 teach you the basics.

Step 3: Work with Archie the Architect to discover how architects measure, plan for, and produce the structures that we use daily. Pages 11-13 help you learn about color theory! Be sure to complete page 14 to make your own safety hat!

Step 4: Today, you’ll get the chance to design your own building - a community center. Page 23 of the workbook will show you how to make a 3-D model. As you design, think about all the ways people might use the center!

Step 5:  Be sure to have an adult share your design for the community center on social media using #MakerMondayTN & #LearningInPlaceTN! 




Additional Resources:


Wonder Wednesday


Bridges help people cross bodies of water or large gaps in land, and make more travel more efficient. Think about the bridges, large and small, in your town. If they weren’t there, what would travel be like? Architects create bridges to be safe, supportive, and, sometimes, beautiful.

Today, you will investigate how bridges are designed!


Step 1: Architects have to consider many factors when designing a bridge, including the land they are building on. Using your packet from Monday, help Archie the Architect examine the soil to prepare to build. Use pages 16-17. 

Step 2: Bridges have to be made sturdy in order to safely transport cars, trucks, trains, and more. But have you ever thought about what it takes to make a bridge strong? Watch this explanation of bridge shapes. 

Step 3: Learn more about the way bridges work by completing pages 18-21 in your work book featuring Archie the Architect. Think about why certain materials are better than others. 

Step 4: Now that you’ve really investigated bridges, you’re probably getting curious about some of the most extreme bridges that have been built. Watch this to see some of the most amazing bridges!  

Step 5: Ask a family member to share what you learned about bridges on social media using #WonderWednesdayTN & #LearningInPlaceTN!







Additional Resources:


Future Friday


Architects are designers. They have to be aware of engineering principles and be creative. But they do more than just design buildings and homes. Architects have a hand in designing landscaping, cities, extreme structures, and more. Architects are visionaries!


Today, you will explore all kinds of architecture careers!


Step 1: Cities continue to grow at an unprecedented pace. Urban Planner is a career field in architecture that addresses the growth of cities and best use of spaces. Learn more about this essential job here. 

Step 2: While you might not think about the landscapes in our public spaces or in amusement parks, Landscape Architects design spaces to make them functional and beautiful. Learn more about this creative field here.    

Step 3: If you love history and old buildings, you might be interested in becoming a Restoration Architect. This field requires special knowledge of the history of buildings, materials, and era specific trends. Learn more here. 

Step 4: The world is full of extreme climates and locations that require special structures. Extreme Architects specialize in building structures in the most intense places. Learn more here.

Step 5: Ask a family member to share something you learned about an architecture career using #FutureFridayTN & #LearningInPlaceTN!







Additional Resources:


Connecting Globally - We at TSIN believe STEM connects us all and in an effort to enhance those connections, the resources from the STEAM Resource Hub will be connected to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals.

UN Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

UN Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

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