Frank Lloyd Wright Virtual Classroom
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation launched a free online learning tool for K-12 students with the introduction of the Frank Lloyd Wright Virtual Classroom, a resource center developed by the Foundation’s education department for online learning and virtual engagement for families.
Combining fun, real-world lessons with Wright’s famed principles of organic architecture and solutions-based design, each STEAM-focused lesson will offer students its own variation of hands-on activities that encourage them to think critically and creatively. The six-week series introduces a new lesson and corresponding video weekly, where one activity builds upon the other to culminate into a final project where the student creates a work of art that resembles stained glass, inspired by Wright’s own designs.
“This is an unprecedented time and with all of the unknowns, new routines and families in need of engaging activities, this was a way for the Foundation to provide a few resources to families around the world,” says Christopher Jason, education manager with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. “We want to be able to continue our mission of educating future generations based on Frank Lloyd Wright’s works and ideas and how those ideas embodied in our STEAM education programs are more relevant than ever today.”
The Foundation’s education team has developed the lessons to be easy and turnkey in that parents can simply turn on the video and have the student watch, learn and complete the activity on his or her own while the parent works or tends to household duties. Parents can also get in on the fun and make the activity a family project.
Since 2012, the Foundation has worked alongside the Paradise Valley School District to create K-12 curriculum that has been test-piloted across hundreds of students within the district. These mini-lessons draw from those learnings and programming.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Virtual Classroom debuted on April 15. Topics of the mini lessons include “Create a Symmetrical Pattern,” “Load-Bearing Shapes,” “Turn Two Circles into a Square,” “The Impact of Color” and “How like Wright are you?” View all of the lessons and other education activities at franklloydwright.org/virtualclassroom.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation provides STEAM education experiences to challenge young people around the world to be critical thinkers and creative problem solvers. During this uncertain time, the Foundation offers these lessons, and other activities, free-of-charge in order to help families keep their children engaged in learning activities. Donations at this critical time help the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation keep its staff employed and creating education programs. To donate or to become a member, visit franklloydwright.org/donatenow.
