In Science, Math, STEAM and Art classes in grades 5-12, students participate in a 2-hour workshop facilitated by Civic Design Center staff that explores how the lack of affordable housing in Nashville impacts residents. Participants are challenged to design housing that includes sustainability features while working within a budget.
PROGRAM
Design Your Neighborhood
CLASS TYPE
Science, Math, STEAM + Art
FUNDER
Amazon
DASHville
Hands On Problem-Solving
Curriculum Summary
During DASHville, students will plan and build a housing model that addresses the affordable housing problem in Nashville while considering strategies to reduce the environmental impact of their design.
Youth will be challenged to work within a budget to create a building plan that includes sustainability features. Once they have met building criteria, students will bring their designs to life using the provided building materials.
Outcomes
Since DASHville is uniquely accessible across a wide range of grade levels and subjects, the curriculum can be made increasingly complex and specific to address a breadth of TN State Standards for skill development. All students will walk away from the workshop having learned about the impact of the lack of affordable housing as well as the benefits of sustainable design.
However, this knowledge can be approached in different methods depending on the grade level and subject matter.
Workshop Components
DASHville students will use a board specially-created for the project with provided building materials to bring their sustainable designs to life. The goal is to take a theoretical and complex topic, but make it approachable with a hands on activity. Participants are also introduced to new professions that use modeling, like design and architecture.