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The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) will give select Indianapolis area students the opportunity to learn about one career field while participating in changing a waterway near where they live.
Some children grow up not having any idea what they want to do career wise. Many times, it is simply because they only know what they see and do not have the opportunity to explore other options that may have inspired them.
Now, select Indianapolis area students will have the opportunity to learn about one career field while actually participating in changing a waterway near where they live. It is all part of Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW). The project is a grassroots movement that is helping neighbors strengthen waterways, and in turn, helping waterways strengthen neighborhoods.
Barton Park is a 6-acre neighborhood park that is a site for Indy Parks’ Supervised Play summer program; but, it has limited access to Fall Creek.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) would like to change that and students will be a driving force behind that change. On October 2, 2013, over 100 elementary and middle school students from Fall Creek Academy charter school will visit The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis to take part in workshops where they will learn about the Fall Creek waterway and learn about architecture using engaging, hands-on activities.
NOMA’s annual conference takes place in Indianapolis on October 3-5. Several architects from NOMA, locally and nationally will be volunteering as mentors and facilitators for the workshops. The musuem’s school services department worked alongside with Sanford Garner and Raun Love, local architects and members of the Indianapolis NOMA chapter, to develop the workshops.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for adults to inspire children about career possibilities that have the potential to shape their lives while improving their neighborhood,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “Fall Creek is a habitat and water source for a multiple species but has experienced hard times. This project will help make a positive impact on our local environment and community while teaching children good stewardship of their community.”
As part of a specialized workshop, the students will participate in visioning for a recreational bridge that would connect Fall Creek Parkway with Barton Park. That bridge could conceivably serve both pedestrians and cyclists. Not only will these students be able to choose the location for the bridge, they will become the imaginary architects of the project by creating a site plan, elevation and 3-D model of the bridge.
“Our students will be thrilled to work alongside industry professionals to learn some of the intricacies of a valuable career option. These kinds of connections are what youth need to make informed decisions about their personal future as well as the future of their community and how they might create a lasting impact,” said Hanno Becker, principal, Fall Creek Academy.
“The beautiful stone and concrete arch bridges that span Fall Creek have been used for 100 years to whisk people into downtown Indianapolis,” said Doug Day, community leader and champion of Destination Fall Creek. “Our goal is that folks will stop and enjoy the Creek itself and better utilize Barton Park. The ornate limestone faced Capital Ave Bridge would be highly visible from this pedestrian bridge. I am excited to see what these kids come up with.”
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Facebook.com/childrensmuseum and YouTube.
