Explore Architecture: Night at the Museum (Flex)
In this maker-based workshop, we take a look at museum architecture, invent an art collection and create our own pocket gallery to showcase it. Students learn to simultaneously be the architect, the artist and the curator of their museum.
Fifi Henderson
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(306)
What's included
Class Experience
Learners are introduced to the architecture of upstanding museums such as the Museum of Natural History in New York City and the Guggenheim along with some lesser-known gems like the Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum in Brazil and the “blob” architecture of The Kunsthaus Graz in Austria. Then, we’ll take a dive off the deep end to explore supremely quirky tributes such as the CupNoodles Museum, the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C., the Banana Museum in California and The Sulabh International Museum of Toilets in Delhi. Oh, yes, you read that right. This Flex class features a Project Video (20-30 Minutes), a Demonstration Video (10-20 minutes) and a Scavenger Hunt that will be available the first day of class. The videos guide students to design their own museum with the intention of creating spaces for displaying something special of their choice. We’ll talk about how a designer might start to think about a space that’s built for showcasing all sorts of things – from art to oddities. In Night at the Museum, we focus on basic planning concepts for public spaces, reframing simple objects for display and how to make decisions on what to showcase based on an overarching concept. Learners are simultaneously the architect, the artist and the curator of their own museum. We use architecture to bring to life imaginative ideas that encourage problem solving, big and small. Students practice fine motor skills and empathy while working to create a convincing habitable design. Student Interaction: Architects & Clients The philosophy behind all we do at Wicked Workshop is to mimic the studio culture of the architecture school and office - and bring that immersive experience to young people. Since this is a Flex class, students can participate during the days and times that work for them but will still be required to be an active participant in the process. To foster a true architecture studio culture, learners will participate in an "Architect & Client" activity. Each student will be paired with a classmate and be given the role of either the architect or the client. "Architects" will present (at least) 3 images of their work in progress with a short, written explanation of the key features. The "Client" will study the work, ask questions, provide one suggestion and one aspect of the work that they really like. We will do this through posts on our classroom page and all students will benefit from their personal role play as well as following the conversations of others. Don't worry - we'll guide you! Here’s the suggested workflow (don't worry - we'll walk you through every little bit of this): First few days (days 1-3): Watch the Project Video and Demo Video and start collecting materials. Then: During weeks 1 and 2: Develop your big idea, create your museum and your collections During weeks 3 and 4: Finalize your modeling and create a site with amenities.
Learning Goals
Wicked Workshop is a maker-based program that introduces youth to architecture through reality-based projects that tackle "wicked" problems like inadequate housing and environmental health. We teach decision-making strategies, complex problem solving, and critical thinking methods recognized as vital 21st century skills necessary to succeed in work, life and citizenship through a straightforward hands-on curriculum based on authentic projects that foster independent thinking, self-directed learning, exploration, iteration and creativity.
Other Details
Supply List
For the museum: a cereal box, chipboard (or 1/4" or 1/8" foam core if your learner is able to use a box cutter with parental supervision) masking tape or hot glue scissors Straight edge (metal if you are using it to cut foam core) (Note: The museum walls will be strips of cardboard or foam core cut to 3" in height. Parents might want to help younger learners or have your learner measure them themselves, draw a pencil line, then use scissors to cut the lengths from a cereal box. These can be painted white or used as is.) For paintings/wall art in your museum, anything goes! Some suggestions include: clippings from a magazine of cool images or patterns (keep it small in height - about 2.5" so it will fit on your walls) plain paper patterned cardboard (cereal boxes or cracker boxes are colorful and easy to cut) markers colored pencils gel pens paint For "sculpture", anything goes! Be creative and collect 2-3 beautiful objects that are small. Here are some suggestions: cool screws, washers, metal things rocks thumbtacks tiny seashells decorative beads leaves acorns pencil shavings Not required, but nice to have: Print out our Box Template (we'll demonstrate how to make a simple pedestal) Print out our Scale Figure Template for People
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2020
4.9
306reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Wicked workshop is taught by Phyllis (Fifi) Henderson. A mom to two active girls, an architect and an educator, Fifi creates learning experiences opportunities that build self-esteem, independence and critical thinking skills. As an educator with a PhD in architectural history and theory, she recognized that Design Thinking was being used outside of professional design practice to help resolve issues in multiple industries including business and societal sectors. Design Thinking is a non-linear, strategy-based process for problem solving that tackles issues through empathy and iterative hands-on making. It was developed by Stanford University’s “d” school for people in business, higher education, the public sector and K-12 education as a process to create real change. As an architect, Fifi practiced this methodology and recognized it as a direct extension of her traditional university architecture school curriculum. After completing her PhD, she decided to scale that learning experience for a younger audience. Working with kids on big problems has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her career and she is continually energized by the ideas, dynamism and joy that kids bring to wicked problems.Reviews
Live Group Class
$17
weekly4 weeks
Completed by 2 learners
No live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
