Be a Green Builder

School Program

Grades 5–9

What makes a building stand up? How do builders decide which materials to use during construction? How can materials contribute to a more sustainable house?

Students join a work crew, become carpenters, and use power screwdrivers as they assemble an 8’ x 11’ house in one of the Museum’s classrooms. Emphasizing the importance of teamwork and communication on a construction site, students work in teams and lay the subfloor, connect the walls, and raise the roof. While building, they learn about the hidden features that support these building elements: foundations, frames, and trusses. One of the major components of green construction is the architect's choices of design and materials. As students construct the house they are introduced to these green building ideas and materials that architects use today.

This program meets content standards for science and social studies. This program does not come with an Educator Resource Packet.

Registration Details:

• Grades 5–9
• 2 hours (10:00 am-12:00 pm or 12:30-2:30 pm)
• Minimum class size 15 students/Maximum class size 30 students
• Please note: structure might not be completed in the time allotted if there are less than 15 students
• Minimum of four chaperones required per program
• $100 per class
• The Museum can schedule 1 class (30 students) per day
• On a day in which the program is offered at 10:00 am it cannot also be offered at 12:30 pm, and vice versa