Girls Build! is a unique experiential program designed to engage girl-identifying youth in 7th to 10th grades. The fall program is sold out, email caclearning@architecture.org to add your child to the waitlist.
Girls Build! is a unique experiential program designed to engage girl-identifying youth in 7th to 10th grades.
Participants will explore Chicago’s built environment, build architecture and design skills, and learn from women who are leading the way in STEAM fields—all in a gender-affirming environment.
Girls Build! programs occur throughout the year, at the CAC and in locations around Chicago.
CAC Camps and Classes are designed to enable students to explore the built environment and learn first-hand why design matters. All programs require teamwork and creative problem solving. Trained classroom educators support students in developing self-confidence and visual thinking and give them the opportunity to communicate their ideas through a variety of media. Students will solve design challenges, build models, use technology or diverse art materials under the guidance of experienced, enthusiastic designers and educators who are full-time staff members at the Chicago Architecture Center.
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WHY GIRLS?
Various studies have shown a persistent gender gap in the STEAM fields, with women representing less than 30% of the personnel in the various industries. While Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color make up less than 5% of the fields.
As numerous studies have shown, what these numbers indicate is not that women don’t have the capacity and competence to enter these fields, but rather that there are real structural biases in the STEAM fields that make it hard for women to pursue these careers.
In their study “Using design thinking to cultivate the next generation of female STEAM thinkers” Rie Kijima, Mariko Yang-Yoshihara, and Marcos Sadao Maekawa show that intentionally engaging young girls through STEAM programs “can produce positive change in how female youths relate to STEM.” Their findings note that an engendered approach to STEAM programing showed that girls displayed an “increased interest in engineering, greater creative confidence, more positive perceptions of STEAM, higher levels of empathy and pro-social factors, and a more varied outlook on career options.”
Our program was purposely designed to empower young girls and positively impact the gender gap in STEAM.
Upcoming Program
Girls Build! Fall 2024: Groundbreakers
This program is SOLD OUT. Please contact caclearning@architecture.org to add your child to the waitlist.
During this 5-week class, students will select and research iconic women who made an impact on the built environment.
Girls will work in teams and independently to create a CAC exhibit, entitled GROUNDBREAKERS to be displayed in the ArcelorMittal Design Studio.
Program Details
- Dates: Nov. 10 - Dec. 15 (There will be no class on Dec. 1)
- Day: Sundays
- Times: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
- Location: CAC Design Studio
- Cost: Free with registration
One-time registration is for all sessions.
Girls Build! Fall 2024: Groundbreakers
During this 5-week class, students will select and research iconic women who made an impact on the built environment.
Girls will work in teams and independently to create a CAC exhibit, entitled GROUNDBREAKERS to be displayed in the ArcelorMittal Design Studio.
Program Details
- Dates: Nov. 10 - Dec. 15 (There will be no class on Dec. 1)
- Day: Sundays
- Times: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
- Location: CAC Design Studio
- Cost: Free with registration
One-time registration is for all sessions.
This program is SOLD OUT.
Please contact caclearning@architecture.org to add your child to the waitlist.
Testimonials
I have always wanted to be a model, and I STILL want to do that, but after Girls Build! I think I want to own my own agency, so I have control over where my image is used and what products I endorse."
A.(Age 12)Thank you so much for allowing my girls to participate in this fantastic class, what an experience it was for them but also for me. You see, both my girls are diverse learners and I often struggle to find classes that will take them for that reason, plus where they feel like they are successful."
M.(Parent)Originally, I wanted to be a veterinarian, but after participating in Girls Build and meeting a female architect from Mexico, I think I want to be an architect instead."
C.(Age 14)Gaby is always sharing about Girls Build! at school. In fact, they are doing a group project where they redesign a local park ‘to scale.’ She busted out her Girls Build! skills and went around the class helping each student. If you couldn’t tell we love, love, LOVE Girls Build!. It’s one of the best things the girls have done since moving from California and THANK YOU so much for giving Gaby this opportunity."
S.(Parent)
Support
All Girls Build! programs are free for families, as the CAC strives to represent the diversity of Chicago through everything we do. Donate today to cover some or all of a program fee.
Girls Build! Sponsors
2024 Education Supporters
2024 Education Supporters
Denise Littlefield Sobel
Penny and Bill Obenshain
Anonymous (2)
Richard and Ann Carr
