Announcing Orange Line Design! A Citizen Schools Idea Competition
[Aug-17-2007]
What is Orange Line Design?
Orange Line Design is an architecture and public space ideas competition that asks Citizen Designer teams of teachers and students to re-envision an MBTA Orange Line Station. Teams will focus on either Jackson Square Station in Jamaica Plain/Roxbury, or Sullivan Square Station in Charlestown/Somerville; at both sites teams will be asked to submit concepts for a new design of the station headhouse and the public space around it.
Team are encouraged to think creatively and inspirationally about the exterior structure and interior space of the headhouse; about the amenities inside and outside the station; about the relationship of the station to nearby sites and streets; and about the overall perception of the station in the community and the city. After studying their stations and developing their designs, teams will be asked to create a visual presentation of their concept. At least one presentation board is required, but teams can use architectural drawings, models, diagrams, sketches, photos, collages and other media to expressively and engagingly illustrate their vision.
The competition ends in a final WOW! Presentation on December 12th in front of Boston, Somerville and MBTA officials, along with other local luminaries. To learn more about the competition and how its products will be used after the WOW!, join us for our introductory session on September 6th at Citizen Schools headquarters.
What is a Citizen Schools Apprenticeship?
A Citizen Schools apprenticeship is an 11-week learning experiences between middle school students (age 10-13) and volunteer adult instructors, known as Citizen Teachers. Over the course of the session, students are introduced to new skills or topic areas in a program created by the instructors, with the support of Citizen Schools staff. Apprenticeships range from the casual to the professional; past apprenticeships have included jump rope, Hawai'ian crafts, journalism and mock legal trials. All apprenticeships culminate in a final presentation, called a WOW!, with other students who have taken similar-themed apprenticeships. Through the apprenticeships, students learn confidence; leadership; academic, artistic and technicals skills; and the vast possibilities for their professional and civic futures.
How does Citizen Schools support its Citizen Teachers?
Citizens Schools knows that developing and running a curriculum for middle schoolers can be challenging, so we make sure that Citizen Teachers have the partnership and resource to help them succeed.
Citizen Teachers are strangely encouraged to do their apprenticeships in teams; teams have ranged in size from 2 people to 10 or more. Team teaching allows teachers to share the load of planning and execution, and provides extra coverage if a particular teacher needs to be absent. In addition to the team of volunteer teachers, a Citizen Schools staff member is always present at every course meeting to provide assistance.
Citizen Teacher teams can also be connected with a more experienced teaching team in their field. The mentor team provides helpful advice on the logistics of running an apprenticeship, from planning exercise to managing the classroom. Citizen Teachers also have full access to Citizen Schools' library of learning resources, including curriculum guides for various professional fields.
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