Klein Collins High School and Benignus Elementary School students partnered on a hands-on learning experience after receiving a $10,006 Multi-Campus Grant from the Klein ISD Education Foundation in partnership with PBK. The project, Architects of Sustainability, connected high school and elementary students as they explored architecture, teamwork, and environmental responsibility.
Led by mother-daughter educators Mrs. Tracey Hall and Ms. Sarah Hall, students studied the architecture of European cities before designing their own model cities with sustainable features such as efficient materials, climate-responsive design, and resource conservation.
“Our students were able to learn about Venice, Rome, and Florence, and see how sustainability connects to the real world in real cities,” Sarah Hall said. “Doing this project with my mom made it extra special. Watching my students interact with the elementary students and seeing them teach each other about what they have researched has been amazing. I know this is something they will remember forever.”
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Klein Collins students said the collaboration made the project even more meaningful.
“I had an amazing time working with my group of kiddos for this project!” Klein Collins student Daniel Cruz said. “They have learned many things about the sustainability of Rome and had such a fun time building the different structures that help keep our city sustainable!”
For younger students, the experience was just as impactful.
“I was able to explore a lot of new materials,” Benignus student Tessa Valdez said. “The high schoolers were fun to work with, and we accomplished a lot together.”
Ms. Tracey Hall said the experience highlighted the power of collaboration.
"Students across grade levels have learned so much from one another: high schoolers have shown leadership and patience, while younger students have brought fresh creativity,” Ms. Tracey Hall said. “Watching them work together to complete a model city inspired by Venice, Florence, and Rome has been truly rewarding."
The finished cities will be showcased at the Research Symposium on March 2-3 and at the District’s Fine Arts Festival on April 18, where students will share their ideas and reflect on what they learned.
Amazing job, students! We love to see the power of collaboration in practice among our schools. Your #KleinFamily is proud of you and can’t wait to see your projects shine!
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