One of the biggest requests that I receive from members and non-members alike – how can I promote the profession to young people? Check out this program that the PA/DE Chapter put together and get involved. This call to take action come directly from the chapter’s President:
I am requesting ASLA’s help to encourage ASLA members from across the profession to support a new program called “Sowing the Seeds of Design”. This program is intended to inform 4th through 7th grade students about the design profession of Landscape Architecture.
The basis of the Sowing the Seeds program is to encourage students in a short term design project involving a real or imagined site, including all aspects of design from activity programming, to environmental sensitivity to universal design. This program offers the opportunity for personal reward for students, teachers, and Landscape Architecture professionals. I know this from hands on experience. In presentations with a 5th grade math class, I talked to students about the profession of Landscape Architecture and about the elements of design.
It’s amazing to see how engaged 5th graders are to hear about such potentially deep topics! I found that I was really able to connect with students from just a short, 1 hour presentation. The teacher told me after the class that the student who was asking the most questions was typically very reserved and shy, but we must have found his calling. I also heard from a colleague that the conversation on his daughter’s school bus was centered on this new project that the 5th grade class was embarking on. This made it all worthwhile to me, especially when I recall that I was hesitant to participate in this program in the first place.
I wish more teachers and Landscape Architects knew about this program, partially for their own benefit, but mostly for the enlightenment of young students.
Spread the word out to the rest of the country. I’m sure others will find it just as rewarding.
Adam A. Supplee, ASLA
President, PA – DE ASLA Chapter
