Building

Build a classic toy train, modeled after the toys children enjoyed in earlier years. These trains last a lifetime, and make for the perfect toy to be played with for years! With endless decorating possibilities, this toy train introduces children to the fundamentals of building and crafting with wood.

The parts of this project are all produced and cut by our team of apprentices, who are 13-18 years old. Apprentices train in all aspects of design, production, and education. Learn more about the Apprentice Program HERE.

First produced in 1952, Charles and Ray Eames created interchangeable cards that connected to build sculptures and structures. They marked their cards with the forms and colors of modern art. With a nod to their genius, we have created blank cards for you to experiment with. Take your engineering skills to new heights with these cards that you will decorate and devise into towers, buildings, and beyond. Each Student will receive a set of 18 cards. 

Do you need a custom solution for your class? We can laser-etch these cards with patterns such as letters, numbers, words, animals, etc.

Greek temples were built to house statues of deities, acting as homes for the gods rather than places of worship for the general public. Learn about the specific architectural elements and how temples evolved from sacred groves found in nature to the grand houses of the gods that are still standing to this day around the Mediterranean.

Castles are a projection of power through architecture. From hill forts to motte and bailey, and eventually the classic stone keep, castles of Europe have undergone a splendid evolution. Occupying strategic geographic positions, they were used as seats of government, protection from attack, places to rest along routes of trade, and were even homes for some. Like most practical designs, European Castles reflect the style and resources of the regions from which they were built. Learn how different aspects of castle construction come together to serve a wide-ranging purpose.

The Stilt houses of Brazil's Amazon River Basin are fantastic examples of using local resources to adapt a shelter to meet the needs of people. Students will learn how geography, climate, and environmental predicaments steer civilizations into inventing new ways of living and thriving.