Making Buildings STEM Resource
Using food as an accessible context for exploring the concepts of architecture and design, Making Buildings includes everything needed to deliver a fun and engaging series of four lessons including: lesson plans, introductory presentations, resources cards, student activities and stimulating photographs.
Making Buildings explores climate change and sustainability in relation to buildings and the lesson plans and their various components can be adapted and used as individual activities or modified for use at a STEM after-school club or a Science Fair.
Making Buildings is divided into four lessons – science, design and technology, science and technology and maths. The lessons can be taught sequentially or standalone; taught in and/or out of the classroom; use easily found and inexpensive materials; address key themes and issues; use the home as a familiar example to learners; aim to increase skills and confidence.
Written by educators with a teaching background Amy Harrison, Education Manager, Architecture Centre, Bristol, and Marie Sellars, Education and Projects Manager, Architecture Centre Devon and Cornwall, Making Buildings was commissioned by Architecture Centre Network to support the teaching and learning of STEM subjects, using architecture and the everyday built environment surrounding schoolchildren and commonly found materials as an engaging entry point.
Amy and Marie comment: ‘We aimed to make the concepts of architecture and sustainability funand accessible by using familiar foodstuffs to explore the scientific and technical aspects of creatingbuildings. We feel we have made an engaging teaching and learning resource that promotes STEM subjects in a relevant (and potentially delicious!) way.’
This series of engaging resources has been developed for pupils aged 9 -14 to support the teaching of Science, Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) using the themes of architecture, the built environment, sustainability and food. Download a copy of the Making Buildings Information Flyer opposite.
The Architecture Centre is able to deliver the Making Buildings resource to school groups as part of its educational consultancy offer. If you are interested please contact: education@architecturecentre.co.uk
