Who is AIA Kansas City? The
American Institute of Architects is the largest and most influential
professional association for architects, interns and those directly
involved in the practice of architecture. The Kansas City Chapter has
been in continuous operation since 1890 and represents over 1100
members within the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. AIA Kansas
City supports its members by providing high quality programming,
services, and communications, advances the value of the architecture
profession, and improves the quality of the built environment.
Women in Design, a committee of AIA Kansas City, is a community of women involved in architecture and the design professions who have come together for mentorship, support, and advocacy. We provide opportunities for working with our community to educate, enhance, explore, and celebrate the historic and present contributions of women in our professions.
Is this a troop activity or an individual Girl Scout activity? This program has been created for individual Girl Scouts who have an interest in design and/or architecture. If there is more than one Girl Scout in a troop with that interest, we hope they register, but this is specific to interest, not troops.
When will the meetings take place for my Girl Scout’s team? Team meetings will take place on weeknight evenings and/or weekends. Each team will set their own schedule. Girl Scouts and their families will be asked to provide their schedule availability during registration. Girl Scout staff will work to place Girl Scouts on teams that align with schedule availability.
How often will the teams meet? Teams will meet approximately 1-2 times a month. Smaller team meetings may also happen depending on the course your team is taking and the tasks that need to be completed.
Where will meetings take place? Meetings may take place in multiple locations throughout the Kansas City metro area. Meeting locations are the sole discretion of the mentors and will not be adjusted.
Will the girls have work to do outside the meetings? Yes. Every girl will be responsible for this project and will have tasks to complete at home in between meetings. It could be researching ideas on the computer, or it could be putting a simple model together or doing some sketches/idea collages. Additionally, all girls new to GSDC will be expected to attend a Public Speaking badge workshop presented by the Coterie Theatre. This is to prepare girls for the final presentation they will give before a panel of jurors.
What should my Girl Scout expect out of this program? She will be challenged and will gain important life skills. This program will take patience, working with a group, sacrificing personal ideas for another’s, thinking in different ways and learning to trust in a process. Architects and designers will be the first to tell you it’s a lot of hard work to design and build a project and the reward is at the end when it all comes together. Listed below are some of what girls may experience in their team.
- Communication: Presenting an idea, supporting/defending an idea, critiquing an idea – challenging the expert (mentor)
- Collaboration: Compromise, “not winning”, relationship-building
- Innovation: Explore new ideas (design), learn from mistakes (re-design), concept to realization
What should parents expect during this program?
- They should expect to talk to their Girl Scout about the meetings and the homework. Girls may need help talking through their ideas and putting their ideas on paper. Parents can encourage that work and know that the Mentors are a phone call/email away for help and guidance.
- They should expect to have to adjust their schedule to accommodate the 1-2 meetings per month.
- They should expect that meetings will not necessarily be convenient to their home and/or work location.
What are the required dates?
- Kickoff: January 7, 9am-12pm at Camp Tongawood
- Public Speaking Badge Workshop: January 24, 6-8pm at Crown Center
- Presentation and Celebration: April 18, 5:30-8pm, location TBD
