A real twelve by sixteen foot, multi-level clubhouse built on campus! That was the end goal of the architecture unit for our fifth and sixth grade classes. To accomplish this goal required applying learning about geometry, physics, measurement, scale, decimals, teamwork, budgeting, project management, and communication.

Students made presentations to the school’s students, teachers, and
administration to gather input towards the design plans. They planned and
carried out all of the fundraisers to get the money to buy required materials and they even baked forty-nine pies in one day for their bake sale! They made calls to potential donors and scored a huge donation of all of the building labor. The clubhouse building is part of the school playground and had to be built to code by professional adults (directed by the children, for a change!) The clubhouse project was not only a tremendous hands-on learning activity, but it helped build community and gave these students a beautiful, memorable, and functional space on campus that will benefit and inspire others for years to come.