Rise High Workshop Series
Regional Initiative:
RISE HIGH WORKSHOP SERIES
The Rise High Program was created as a supplemental STEM education program for Schenectady middle school students in an effort to close the discipline’s diversity gap. It was established in 2017 by Dr. Mark Little, retired GE Global Research Center (GRC) Executive; his wife Terri Little, a former teacher and community volunteer; and Dr. Omayra Padilla De Jesús, who was a Senior Scientist at GRC. The School of Architecture was invited to host three, fully remote design workshops, and to develop a pedagogical framework for students to take an active leadership role in transforming the future of Schenectady, NY. The Rise High students worked in teams led by BArch students and faculty from the School of Architecture.
The Rise High students were introduced to digital modeling via theTinkercad software, through which they collaboratively developed designs for a multi-use public space in downtown Schenectady. Students developed their design proposals under the instruction of Rise High Director of Education Stacey Giordano, Rensselaer Chair of the Undergraduate Program Rhett Russo, Lecturers Yael Erel and Matthew Lopez, and Rensselaer BArch distinguished student mentors Catriona Cribb, Anish De, Tess Lubin, Kelsey Mitchell, Morgan Palmer, and Chris Saour. At the end of the three sessions, the students participated in a virtual exhibition to present their designs to a panel of distinguished guests, including: Evan Douglis, Dean of the School of Architecture; Gary McCarthy, Mayor of Schenectady; and the Director of Planning, Zoning + Community Development for the City of Schenectady, Kristin Diotte, a Rensselaer alumna.
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