2020 Directory

11 Committee Members: Levi Van Buggenum, AIA, Chair Jera Likely, P.E., S.E. Dan Stalker, AIA Joseph Palmer, AIA Brandon Daigle, AIA Britney Sulzen, Assoc. AIA Education & Resources Committee Forthcoming Interaction BY LEVI VAN BUGGENUM, AIA T he pandemic has had a particularly hard impact on the engagements that the Educational and Resource Com- mittee has been working on, given that key programs the committee focuses on depend on face to face connections with groups of stu- dents on school campuses. Although the op- tion exists to engage with students via a digital platform, the content is best delivered while sharing physical space with the audience. As society defines new norms for interactions in physical spaces, the committee has delayed its fall programs for 2020. It anticipates bringing programs back in 2021. The Education and Resource Committee’s chief goal is to promote architecture. It has targeted this task by creating a face to face workshop where fourth grade students learn about architecture through play. The commit- tee continues its goal of focusing on connect- ing with students and teachers in the 10 largest cities in Wyoming (1. Cheyenne, 2. Casper, 3. Laramie, 4. Gillette, 5. Rock Springs, 6. Sher- idan, 7. Green River, 8. Evanston, 9. Riverton, 10. Jackson), and the committee continues to seek local architects to volunteer. However, it is unclear when schools will be open again to extracurricular events like this, and until then, this goal is on hold. In addition to elementary school outreach, the committee has begun to develop a conversa- tion with a different audience, our commu- nities’ college-aged students. This effort aims to discuss architecture on college campuses across the state to engage students, faculty and the public. This outreach is taking the form of a lecture series. It seeks to unpackage a discussion about relevant architectural top- ics with the support of AIA Wyoming chapter members as the talent to lead and support this conversation. The program is just be- ginning to be developed. The committee will host the first lecture at the Sheridan College campus once the campus is open again. The committee hopes this lecture series will become an event that college campuses across the state support and host, relying on local architects’ help to facilitate the conversation. The committee is excited about the contin- ued efforts to reach high school students and the new outreach developments to a higher education audience and the public. It hopes the platforms of exchange that support these discussions will be open soon. If you are interested in hearing more and vol- unteering, please contact Levi Van Buggenum at LeviV@aretedesign.group b