‘Architecture + Construction Management Featuring Green Methods’ course prepares future architects for internships, careers and further education
BOSTON, Sept. 1, 2010 – In an effort to equip the next generation of architects with powerful new tools and uncompromising learning opportunities, Graphisoft is partnering with the STEM Academy, a national non-profit dedicated to literacy in science, technology education and math for all students from K through 14 and beyond.
GRAPHISOFT’s Archicad building information modeling (BIM) software and its EcoDesigner energy optimization software will form the foundation of the academy’s new year-long high-school and community college course, called «Architecture + Construction Management Featuring Green Methods.»
The course has been rolled out to 25 schools this summer with over 700 schools submitting letters of intent to implement the program in 2010. «It’s critical to our mission to use the most advanced and powerful technology to fully prepare students for internships, careers and education advancement,» said Russ Mickelson, COO of the STEM Academy. «We chose GRAPHISOFT because it is the world leader in BIM, which is revolutionizing architecture by automatically packing a wealth of engineering and construction information into a 3D building design.»
To ground lessons in real-world challenges, the course incorporates actual designs of real-world buildings. As with all STEM Academy courses, each unit and lesson in Architecture + Construction Management Featuring Green Methods is mapped to national academic standards and continuously reviewed by STEM Academy’s 36-member educator curriculum development team. Utah Valley State University and the Alpine School District (American Fork, Utah) helped develop the curriculum.
«This new course sets the standard for grade 9-14 architecture programs throughout North America,» said Steve Benford, Graphisoft’s managing director for North America. «Partnering with the STEM Academy is one way we can help students engage BIM and make the best use of these tools in their future as AEC professionals.’