Pennypack Elementary “Architect After School”

December 3^rd, 2019

HATBORO, PA

Pennypack Elementary School wrote a grant to the Hatboro-Horsham Educational Foundation (HHEF) to start a new program at Pennypack named, “Architect After School”. This 8-week after school program allowed fourth and fifth graders to gain experience with design and building their very own classroom. Sixteen students got together to learn about sustainable architecture with the help of Dr. Robert Fryer, Architect, and Professor at Thomas Jefferson University. 

 With the focus of trying to promote STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), architecture was the perfect combination of science, art, and engineering. Students were given the task of building a future-ready classroom for the new Keith Valley Middle School.  

Hatboro-Horsham School District is always trying to promote STEAM, especially in girls. “Architect After School” was a program that the majority of participates were girls. Dr. Fryer emphasis how the field is changing, and now more women are entering the field of an architect. 

After the 8-week program students presented their designs to their families and the community. Thanks to the HHEF grant, these students learned all the considerations made when designing a school facility.