K-12 outreach COMMITTEE
2026 Architecture Week
April 12th - 18th
Architecture Week celebrates the profession of architecture and invites everyone—especially K-12 students—to explore architecture and design. We all play key roles in educating and inspiring the next generation of architects. Let's build the pipeline together.
At AIA Fort Worth, we’re excited to participate in Architecture Week for our second year! Check out everything we have planned below.
New this year are our Architecture Week passports! Each attendee will receive one and get a stamp at each event they go to! 4 stamps will get you a special prize!
Thank you to Parkhill for sponsoring our passports!
Schedule of Events
Box City at Cook Children’s hospital
Monday, April 6th
*Early Arch Week event for patients and families only
This interactive workshop, led by members and educators from AIA Fort Worth invites children and families to explore the principles of architecture and urban design through creative play. Using recycled materials, participants will design and construct their own buildings, contributing to a collaborative miniature city. Along the way, families will learn about architectural concepts, city planning, and sustainable design while gaining insight into city permits and the unique functions of different buildings within a community.
For the patients that can't leave their room, we are putting together supply kits of colored paper, scissors, markers and glue. Help us provide the supplies by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List!
Spaghetti Structures at The Museum of Science and History
Sunday, April 12 | 12pm - 4pm
All materials provided
Museum Entry Rates Apply | GET TICKETS
Ever wonder how skyscrapers reach the clouds or how bridges span across rivers? Now's your chance to find out! Join us for a fun, hands-on building challenge where you'll design and construct your own tower using only spaghetti, marshmallows, and gumdrops. Along the way, you'll discover what makes structures strong, how architects bring creative visions to life, and how engineers solve real-world design problems. Whether you're a budding builder or just love a good challenge, this activity is perfect for all ages. No experience needed—just bring your imagination and get ready to create!
Chalk Sketching at Cook Children’s Hospital
Wednesday, April 15th
*For patients and families only
This special Chalk Sketching event invites participants to explore the art of architectural drawing through a fun, hands-on experience using vibrant chalk. With guided instruction, participants will learn simple techniques such as perspective, shapes, and shading while creating their own buildings, structures, and imaginative cityscapes. The activity encourages creativity, confidence, and artistic expression in an engaging and relaxed setting, offering a chance to experiment with new skills and bring colorful ideas to life.
Virtual Read-aloud: Iggy Peck, Architect at The Museum of Science and History
Thursday, April 16 | 1pm - 1:30pm
Museum Entry Rates Apply | GET TICKETS
Join author Andrea Beaty for a virtual read-aloud of "Iggy Peck, Architect," in the museum’s “The Questioneers: Read. Question. Think. PLAY!” exhibit. Q&A session will follow. Targeted toward students in Grades K-3.
Iggy Peck has one passion: architecture. He uses anything around the house and classroom to satisfy his insatiable passion for building. Build an arch made of pancakes or suspend a bridge made of wooden planks and shoe laces from the park to the island.
Box City at the Modern Art Museum
Friday, April 17th | 5pm - 8pm
Saturday, April 18th | 10am - 5pm
Free event | all materials provided
This interactive workshop, led by members and educators from AIA Fort Worth invites children and families to explore the principles of architecture and urban design through creative play. Using recycled materials, participants will design and construct their own buildings, contributing to a collaborative miniature city. Along the way, families will learn about architectural concepts, city planning, and sustainable design while gaining insight into city permits and the unique functions of different buildings within a community.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own boxes—such as shipping, shoe, or cereal boxes—to transform into buildings, though materials will also be provided. The layout of Box City will come to life on a large-scale, pre-painted canvas serving as the city grid and vibrant foundation for the collaborative creation. Perfect for all ages, this hands-on program fosters creativity, teamwork, and a deeper appreciation for the built environment. Drop in anytime and take part in building a dream city!
Emerging Visions: a Student Design Showcase at the modern Art Museum
Friday, April 17th | 5pm - 8pm
Saturday, April 18th | 10am - 5pm
Free event | On display during Box City in the education department
Celebrate creativity, innovation, and the future of design! We're proud to showcase the work of 16 talented high school students from across the North Texas region as part of our showcase. These young designers have poured their imagination and effort into projects exploring architecture and the built environment. Each piece reflects originality, a thoughtful design process, and strong presentation—offering a glimpse into the next generation of creative professionals. Explore the students’ work and see what's possible when young minds tackle big ideas.
Architecture tours at the Modern Art Museum
Museum admission required | GET TICKETS
Tours focus on the Modern’s renowned building, designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Tadao Ando. Learn the concepts behind Ando’s design and explore the variety of gallery spaces, the reflecting pond and grounds, the iconic concrete Y-columns, and many other aspects of what has been named one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Art Museums” by Travel + Leisure.
Topic: Light and Space Friday, April 17 | 4pm (before Box City)
Topic: Inside/Outside Saturday, April 18 | 3pm (during Box City)
Topic: Materials Sunday, April 19 | 3pm
Film Screenings
Eames: The Architect and the Painter at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Tuesday April 14th | 6pm
Free admission
In celebration of AIA Architecture Week, join us for a feature-length documentary that explores the groundbreaking partnership of Charles and Ray Eames, the husband-and-wife team who transformed modern design in America, playfully blurring the boundaries between art and architecture. The film traces their creative collaboration from iconic molded plywood and fiberglass furniture to films, exhibitions, and architectural projects, revealing how their shared curiosity and disciplined practice reshaped the way we experience design.
Cities of the Future at The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Showtimes:
April 12th | 1:30PM
April 14th | 1:30PM
April 15th | 2:30PM
April 16th | 3:30PM
April 17th | 2:30PM
April 18th | 1:00PM
Imagine stepping 50 years into the future and finding smart cities designed to be totally sustainable. Renewable energy is our primary power source, space-based solar power provides solar energy 24 hours a day, everything is recycled, and you travel in individualized pods that run on little or no energy. This isn’t science fiction. Engineers are making plans for a sustainable world right now, and it’s coming to the giant screen!
Cities of the Future is produced in association with American Society of Civil Engineers.
Our architecture week partners
passport stamp
SPONSOR ARCHITECTURE WEEK
OUR EVENTS
Spaghetti Structures
Student Design Showcase
ABOUT THE COMMITTEE
The K-12 Outreach Committee of AIA Fort Worth is dedicated to inspiring, educating, and empowering the next generation of architects and design professionals. We strive to introduce architecture and design principles to students from kindergarten through high school, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and an appreciation for the built environment.
Vision statement
Our vision is to create a vibrant, diverse, and well-informed pipeline of future architects and design professionals in the Fort Worth area, while empowering educators to bring architecture and design into their classrooms. We envision a community where:
Every K-12 student has the opportunity to explore architecture and design as potential career paths.
Educators have access to high-quality, easy-to-use resources that help them incorporate architectural principles into various subjects.
Schools integrate architectural concepts into their curriculum, enhancing STEAM education.
Students develop a deep understanding of how architecture shapes our communities and impacts our daily lives.
Young minds are equipped with the tools and knowledge to address future urban challenges through innovative design solutions.
A strong network of mentorship and support exists between professional architects, educators, and aspiring students.
Architecture is recognized as an accessible and exciting field that welcomes diversity and creativity.
By connecting students with the world of architecture early in their educational journey, we aim to cultivate a passion for design that will shape the future of our built environment and strengthen the architectural profession in Fort Worth and beyond.
