On March 17, 2025, the AIA Northern Virginia chapter participated in the Mt Vernon Community School, Alexandria, Virginia, annual science fair evening. We were one of a dozen organizations that provided interactive activities to elementary school age students that focused on science, engineering and technology. This was a great opportunity to get in front of future architects and teach them about design and how something as simple as building a simple structure could lead to a career in architecture.   

Always a big hit, we used toothpicks and gum dots to create geodesic domes. While many of the students were successful in creating the geodesic dome and understanding the triangles each dot and toothpick created made a stable structure, many used their imagination to create other types of structures and of course many had to eat a few gum dots. 

These types of programs in our local community and schools are typically coordinated and run through our Arch Lab committee, but it is currently inactive and looking for new leaders and members. 

Email [email protected] if you are interested in helping with events like this in the future and/or interested in reviving the Arch Lab Committee. 

– Roland Lemke, AIA, 2025 AIA NoVA Secretary