Fallingwater is Accepting Applications for Onsite Summer Programs for High School Students and Teachers
Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece, is accepting applications for summer 2012 onsite residency programs for students and educators. The one-week programs will include sessions for high school students at two different skill levels, and one program for K-12 teachers.
“These summer programs offer participants the rare opportunity to explore one of the world’s most famous and architecturally important buildings independently and without the pressure of crowds. They will have the opportunity to discuss and debate new concepts, and participate in hands-on design projects,” said Roy Young, curator of education at Fallingwater. “While engaging in these activities, participants will examine how architecture and design can exist in harmony with nature.”
Students and teachers will investigate structure, function and appearance in the built environment, and focus on learning through problem solving and collaboration. Accommodations will be provided at a house that is within walking distance from Fallingwater. Classes are held at an adjacent open-air studio, and in Fallingwater. Meals are included.
High School Residencies:
Architecture Camp: Studio 1
Studio 1 is a weeklong program that runs July 10-17 for high school students. Led by Peter Goldstein, an educator and licensed architect, this program provides an opportunity for students to examine and explore a host of Frank Lloyd Wright’s ideas. Students who have completed their sophomore or junior year in high school are eligible to apply.
“The residency program at Fallingwater was one of the most exhilarating and worthwhile experiences of my life,” said David Rosenwasser, a student at Hershey High School, in Hershey, Pa., who participated in a summer residency at Fallingwater in 2011. “The program allows the students to learn about Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs and the way that he incorporated architecture into the world we live in. More importantly, it served as an excellent career guide for me.”
Students will solve design problems with hands-on building projects directly related to Fallingwater and its site. In-depth, scholarly discussions and applications of Wright’s principles of organic architecture will be applied. The residency offers drawing, design studio and materials workshops. Tuition, room and board are $1,200. There is an early admission discount of $200.
Architecture Camp / Studio 2
This seven-day intensive course is for students age 17 years or older. The dates for the session are August 7 – 14. Studio 2 is designed to assist students as they prepare for admission to architecture or design college. This learning opportunity is lead by Aron Temkin, dean of architecture at Norwich University, and is designed for students wanting to explore the fields of architecture and design or broaden their educational experience during the gap-year between high school and college.
Students will create three strong college-bound portfolio projects while gaining a familiarization with the design process. The residency helps students explore the architecture and design professions. Tuition, room and board are $1,200. There is an early admission discount of $200.
Teacher Residency
K-12, Teaching through Architecture
A cross-disciplinary learning opportunity for K-12 teachers will take place from July 24 – 31. Teachers will experience how learning through architecture and design can assist students in gaining 21st century thinking skills. The Fallingwater Teacher Residency course is activity-based, with an emphasis on problem solving through architecture. Focusing on Fallingwater, teacher program participants will use the evaluation and creative problem solving process of design as a model for stimulating student-centered learning. Tuition, room and board are $800. There is an early admission discount of $100.
“Teacher residents are able to explore and test new ideas with colleagues while utilizing the house and grounds as a laboratory rich in ideas and inspiration,” said Goldstein. “This interdisciplinary program provides a unique opportunity for educators to explore a host of disciplines including physics, environmental science, geography, history, and of course, art and architecture.”
Enrollment is limited. Early admission applications for the teacher and student programs must be postmarked by March 31, 2012. Standard applications are due on or before April 30, 2012. For more information or to apply, visit https://fallingwater.org/learn or call 724-329-7826.
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About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region’s quality of life by protecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped to establish ten state parks, conserved more than 232,000 acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 1,500 miles of rivers and streams. The Conservancy owns and operates Fallingwater, which symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through nearly 140 community gardens and greenspaces that are planted with the help of 13,000 volunteers. The work of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is accomplished through the support of more than 11,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org.
Media contact:
Eric Sloss
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
(412) 586-2358
esloss@paconserve.org