Students in Georgia Tech’s chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) recently taught a two-week Introduction to Architecture course at nearby Centennial Place Elementary School. The school’s academic calendar has short breaks, or intercessions, when students and their parents can choose from several optional enrichment courses.

NOMAS outreach chair Audrey Plummer first learned of the intercession courses through Tech’s Community Relations office, and pitched the  idea to Centennial Place administrators.
Her idea was to repurpose the “day camp” style curriculum in the College of Architecture’s Career Discovery summer program for high school juniors and seniors. Plummer, an alum of the Career Discovery program, tweaked the exercises to make them appropriate for younger students.

NOMAS students volunteered each morning, facilitating collaborative exploration with materials and forms; and leading exercises with computer design software and traditional sketching.

“I think it’s a great way to teach kids about architecture,” said Plummer. “…that good architecture leads to good cities and communities, and better, healthier lives.”

"Audrey’s work with the students at Centennial Place Elementary embodies the spirit of Georgia Tech and our commitment as an institution to progress and service," said Chris Burke, director of community relations. "We’re honored to have students like Audrey represent Tech as a good neighbor to Centennial Place Elementary, but more importantly as a role model for young students."