K-12 Architecture Education

This curriculum guide provides hands-on activities that integrate Architecture as a theme for instruction and as an ideal springboard to engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Each activity integrates Interdisciplinary Strategies, Critical Thinking, Rubrics and Portfolio Assessment using a performance-based approach in which students learn by discovery. The guide can be an invaluable tool for educational institutions and non-profit organizations to develop innovative educational programs that promote project-based education. In addition to engaging students in STEM, the guide presents Architecture as an art discipline and how the design process in Architecture can be seen as another problem-solving method.

About the Author

The topic of educational programs in Architecture has been a very personal endeavor for Arnaldo D. Cardona. His first Bachelors was a pre-professional degree in Architecture (1989) and his second one was in Landscape Architecture (1992). However, because of his interest in the Arts, he continued with a Masters in Art and Art Education from Teachers College, Columbia University (1994). His Masters project was an interdisciplinary curriculum guide in Architecture. After this he became an instructor teaching Art and Studio in Landscape Architecture at college level. In 1995 Mr. Cardona received a scholarship in Bilingual Special Education from City College of New York (1998) and became a teacher at New York City Public Schools. His thesis was on the effectiveness of a curriculum in Architecture to master reading skills among special education students. In 2002 he became a Middle School Coordinator/Staff Developer and wrote grants and coached teachers in writing curricula in Architecture. At the same time he collaborated with AIA-NY as an instructor for a summer program and as an Architect-Educator with some non-profit organizations in New York City. In addition he taught college courses in the areas of Assessment in Special Education, Math and Art in Childhood Settings and Educational Seminars. In 2005 Mr. Cardona joined the American Society of Landscape Architects and has written articles and conducted webinars about the topic of K-12 Education and the importance of inspiring the Architects and Landscape Architects of the future. Mr. Cardona is currently a retired teacher and Landscape Architect focusing on documenting and publishing some of the learning experiences he designed throughout his career.