AEC Programs to Support
In 10th grade, I decided I would pursue architecture. I’m so thankful I had my teacher and family to help guide me. But it’s initiatives like the ACE Mentor Program and Project Pipeline that brings mentors and mentees (typically high schoolers) together. Not only did I meet students interested in architecture and engineering like me while I was still in high school but I had several professionals who looked like me who were a great inspiration.
Project Pipeline, a national initiative by the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) also known as the Architecture & Engineering Summer Camp, is one of my highlights each year. I first organized a group of 15 volunteers back in 2018 at my firm, CO Architects. Every year since then the number of volunteers has grown to support this great program!
I am blown away each year at how quickly the campers pick up what it means to be an architect. The Southern California Chapter of NOMA (SoCal NOMA) has also encouraged firms to host high school students following the end of camp. In 2019 I helped organize our first job shadowing program in the office which was a huge success. In fact, one of the participant’s parents said this: “The experience was pivotal in solidifying her desire to continue her studies in the field of architecture.'“
Image courtesy of socalnoma.org
Project Pipeline
Project Pipeline began in 2002 at the NOMA conference in Fort Lauderdale. The camp was established to introduce minority students with a focus on black students to architecture with the ultimate goal of creating more licensed Black architects. The summer program allows students to use the city as their classroom. Students grades 6th-12th have the opportunity to work closely with architects and industry professionals to create designs they would like to see in their communities.
For more info, please click here.
Architecture Construction Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program
The ACE Mentor Program was founded in 1994 and encourages high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction through mentoring and supportive events to keep them engaged. This program is offered free to students and typically affiliated with a local high school. ACE has more than 70 chapters and operates in 37 states. Students are organized on teams of 15-25 along with industry mentors. Each team works towards a final project during the school year and have the opportunities to receive scholarships and compete in a national design competition.
For more info, please click here.
Water Blocks Kids
Waterblock Kids is a program with the goal of teaching youth about design, including architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and real estate through camps, workshops, and at-home educational tools. The program offers a summer camp on different themes highlighting the built environment and connecting kids with design professionals. The projects challenge the kids to use design thinking and creative problem-solving. The program is offered to kids ages 6-12 years old.
For more info, please click here.
Image courtesy of firstinspires.org
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST)
The mission of FIRST® is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. FIRST offers a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured afterschool programs. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.
For more info, please click here.
Other organizations to consider:
My call to action is to encourage professionals to mentor those interested in the AEC professions. Anyone can contribute by volunteering at a summer camp, participating in career days in school, offering internships to high schoolers and college students, or setting up a time to meet for coffee just to start a relationship. If you can't donate your time, please also consider donating money to the organizations listed above. I am so thankful for the mentors who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences with me because their guidance has gotten me to where I am today.
In 10th grade, I decided to pursue architecture because someone who looked like me was an architectural engineer and believed in me! I too, want to inspire the next generation!