Register Here: https://aiahouston.org/v/registration/HOUxEDU-School-Tours/1bi/

Energy Institute High School, situated in the Third Ward community, is the newest magnet school in the Houston Independent School District and the first “energy” school in the Nation. Project-based learning (PBL) is utilized in the pathways of the geo sciences, alternative energy, and offshore technology for this 800 student campus.

Working with the community-based Project Advisory Team (PAT) which includes energy sector businesses, VLK Architects and Houston ISD organized a design charrette to establish the goals, priorities, and initial design concept for the project. The resulting concept features a 114,000 square foot campus-like setting, mimicking many of the corporate campuses where energy students visit and intern during their high school education. PBL is supported through a variety of spaces including small classrooms, project rooms, and various collaboration spaces. An outdoor courtyard is the center of the campus with a shaded tiered collaboration area and outdoor instructional spaces. The design supports a technology rich campus that is part of the PowerUp 1:1 initiative and all instructional spaces are equipped with smart interactive monitors.

Head back to school with a tour of the Energy Institute High School (HISD) architect, Krista Thomas, Assoc. AIA (VLK Architects); Amanda Alexander, Magnet Coordinator & Industry Liaison (Energy Institute High School); and Lori Lambropoulos, Principal (Energy Institute High School).

Tour includes a box lunch.

Submitted for AIA CES approval

Register Here: https://aiahouston.org/v/registration/HOUxEDU-School-Tours/1bi/

Energy Institute High School, situated in the Third Ward community, is the newest magnet school in the Houston Independent School District and the first “energy” school in the Nation. Project-based learning (PBL) is utilized in the pathways of the geo sciences, alternative energy, and offshore technology for this 800 student campus.

Working with the community-based Project Advisory Team (PAT) which includes energy sector businesses, VLK Architects and Houston ISD organized a design charrette to establish the goals, priorities, and initial design concept for the project. The resulting concept features a 114,000 square foot campus-like setting, mimicking many of the corporate campuses where energy students visit and intern during their high school education. PBL is supported through a variety of spaces including small classrooms, project rooms, and various collaboration spaces. An outdoor courtyard is the center of the campus with a shaded tiered collaboration area and outdoor instructional spaces. The design supports a technology rich campus that is part of the PowerUp 1:1 initiative and all instructional spaces are equipped with smart interactive monitors.

Head back to school with a tour of the Energy Institute High School (HISD) architect, Krista Thomas, Assoc. AIA (VLK Architects); Amanda Alexander, Magnet Coordinator & Industry Liaison (Energy Institute High School); and Lori Lambropoulos, Principal (Energy Institute High School).

Tour includes a box lunch.

Submitted for AIA CES approval

Register Here: https://aiahouston.org/v/registration/HOUxEDU-School-Tours-Welch-OLC/1be/

The Welch Outdoor Learning Center (OLC) began with the vision of a group of Katy ISD officials who believed a facility devoted to outdoor education and experiential learning would make a difference in the lives of students and the growing Katy community. Since opening its doors in 1982, the OLC has offered instructional opportunities that enrich and extend the District’s science and social studies curriculum in a stimulating learning environment, outside of the traditional classroom.

The OLC continually immerses students in nature and makes it an essential component of the learning framework. Outdoor instructional areas and indoor open-concept spaces support learning through observation, engagement, and hands-on participation while also providing ample space to continue supporting community events and summer recreation programs.

In 2019-2020, working collaboratively with the school district and stakeholders, the Stantec design team focused on creating a facility that represented the Center's vision of unparalleled learning and nurturing curiosity, while acting as a steward of the natural environment.The resulting design included major infrastructure and building system upgrades, renovating and replacing existing infrastructure and building new fishing and archery pavilions.

Head back to school with a tour of the Welch OLC with architects Parul Vyas, AIA and Raul Pinol-Marti (Stantec); Paul Dunk (Welch Outdoor Learning Center, Katy ISD); and Lisa Kassman, Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Construction, Katy ISD.

Tour includes a box lunch.

AIA Credit: 1.5 LU