Since the 2017-2018 school year, the BSA has collaborated with Apprentice Learning, a local nonprofit organization focused on early career exploration and readiness. This partnership has enabled the BSA to engage eighth- and ninth-grade students from Boston Public Schools (BPS) through various school year and summer programs, ranging from one day to six weeks. Currently, the BSA engages with Apprentice Learning as a worksite partner for their City Summer Internship and Activate summer programs.

Across all program lengths and types, the BSA centers learning on the design process, encouraging students to brainstorm, design, and build their ideas. The curriculum integrates drawing, modeling, and communication skills to weave together an awareness of architecture as a potential career path.

Students from the City Summer Internship Program share their impressions about architecture at the start of the 8/1 workshop.

Recent Workshops

On July 30 and August 1, rising ninth-grade students from Boston Public Schools participated in two three-hour design education workshops at BSA Space. These workshops introduced students to fundamental concepts in architecture and design, culminating in a hands-on design challenge.

Students from the Activate Program practicing modelmaking from concept sketches during the 7/30 workshop.

Students were tasked with designing a more welcoming space for visitors addressing wayfinding challenges within the building. Working at a 1:1 scale, they developed their ideas in groups, starting with diagrams and progressing to modelmaking. The proposed solutions included:

• Enhancing visibility for first-floor visitors through lighting and graphics on existing glass railings.
• Installing wrap-around benches and lounge chairs by existing columns to incorporate seating without inhibiting hallway traffic.
• Establishing a kiosk and projection area for visitors to learn about the BSA.
• Integrating built-in elements, such as bookshelves, for visitor use.

Conducting the workshop in the same hallway that served as the project site allowed students to measure elements and understand scale from their models to reality, providing a practical, immersive learning experience.

Students from the Activate Program at the 7/30 workshop in the BSA Space.

Educational Programs to Shape Arch/Design Futures

This partnership between the BSA and Apprentice Learning aligns with broader educational themes, especially as we begin to enter the back-to-school season. By offering students real-world experience and opportunities to explore their interests, the programs aim to build a foundation for future success. These programs emphasize the importance of student engagement and hands-on learning, highlighting the value of early exposure to potential career paths.

The goal is to provide valuable educational experiences that shape the future of the community and the industry. Through continued collaboration and program development, BSA aims to support partners and the students they serve students in their educational and career aspirations.