Chisholm Trail Students Visualize the Future
Keller, TX – Students at Chisholm Trail Intermediate School in Keller ISD were challenged by their teachers to design their new cafeteria this week. VLK Architects led the students through the initial planning aspects of design and helped students create their own “field notes” to start their lesson unit. Over 400 students gathered in the current cafeteria to consider the possibilities for the future.
After visualizing various environments, students worked together in pairs to make plans for their project. Ken Hutchens, Principal of Creative, shared aspects of architecture for students to consider incorporating such as volume, light, and furniture. Critical understanding of both scale and proportion were discussed. In the coming weeks, students will use geometry and measurement to create a mockup of the cafeteria they prefer for the future. They will not be limited to a set of prescribed materials, but are tasked with finding and using the mediums that will best depict their ideas. VLK Architects will provide feedback to students on their mockups after completion.
“I am honored to get to be part of this important learning process. The teachers in Keller ISD realize the value of real-world problems to provide the relevance needed for a powerful lesson. Getting to return to my roots in education is both humbling and exhilarating!” said Dr. Dalane Bouillion, VLK Architects Principal and Educational Planner.
Ken Hutchens, VLK Architects Principal of Creative expressed, “Today, I shared my passion about architecture with 5th grade students, and talked about how they can change their learning environment. It was in the 5th grade that I realized I wanted to become an architect, so this experience was both cool and rewarding.” Chisholm Trail Intermediate School (CTI) opened in 1994 and is located in north Fort Worth. Serving the 5th and 6th grades, the goal of CTI is to provide a smooth transition from elementary school to middle school. CTI uses a team approach, incorporating academic curriculum and emotional learning to create a positive environment in order to unite the family, the school, and the community.
