The 2016-17 Architects in Schools season has come to an end, and we want to say thank you for all your support! After their residencies were over, third through fifth grade students all over Oregon displayed their Architects in Schools projects for their friends, families and the general public in May and June. We've seen projects ranging from cities of the future built out of sustainable materials to a life size disaster relief structure with instructions on assembly. We have had a truly successful season, and none of this would have been possible without our many supporters and volunteers. It is because of you that we can continue to offer Architects in Schools free-of-charge to Oregon schools.

Last year we received requests from teachers for over 5,200 students to be served in classrooms around Oregon. We were able to reach 4,500 of those students this past season, but unfortunately had to turn down classrooms due to a shortage of volunteer design professionals. As you see in the graph below, the program continues to reach more Oregon students year after year as the demand from teachers rises. We expect this demand to continue to rise as the program becomes more well known around Oregon.

Here are ways you can help:

• Become a volunteer! Are you a designer? Whether you're an architect, engineer, contractor, landscape designer, urban designer, interior designer, etc., we believe you have the ability to impact students by sharing your expertise through AiS.
  
• Spread the word to your design professional friends! Simply forward this newsletter to them, refer them to our website, or have them contact candice@af-oregon.org for more information.
• Donate to Architects in Schools by becoming a member of afo, by attending our summer celebration REFRESH@AlbinaYard, or by attending a Dine & Design event. Proceeds from these events go to AiS and afo operations.

At the beginning and end of every Architects in Schools residency, we ask teachers to have their students submit assessments on their experience and learnings. Here are a few responses that really caught our eye...

“One thing I liked about it is working in a group. It was fun for us all to share ideas and work together.” Mason, 5th Grade, Welches Elementary

“I’ve never been so creative.” TJ, 3rd Grade, Welches Elementary

“I can also now notice the difference between old and modern architecture and how the buildings and materials have changed.” Soren, 3rd Grade, Alameda Elementary

“Something that I did that I haven’t done before was use my critical thinking to build a usable and green technology house.” Emma, 5th Grade, Cathedral School

“I discovered that it takes multiple attempts to perfect a design, and that working in a group is strenuous.” Claudie, 5th Grade, Cathedral School

In addition to our many volunteers, our sponsors and contributors have been instrumental to the success of Architects in Schools and we cannot thank you enough!

Bloomfield Family Foundation  |  The Carpenter Foundation  |  ESCO Foundation  |  Herbert A. Templeton Foundation  |  Hollander Watkins Family Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation  |  Juan Young Trust  |  MDU Resources Foundation  |  OnPoint Credit Union  |  Oregon Arts Commission  |  Women's Architectural League  |  AFO Corporate & Individual Members

And to our many In-Kind donors,

AIA Southern Oregon  |  AIA Southwest Oregon  |  ARC Document Solutions  |  Bend-LaPine School District  |  Frank Lloyd Wright Gordon House  |  KPFF Consulting Engineers  |  OMSI  |  PSU School of Architecture  |  Sandy Library