Architecture Foundation of Oregon Empowers Young Minds through Design Education

The Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO) has been providing design education and scholarships to young people in Oregon for over a decade. From elementary school to college, AFO's programs aim to foster creativity, engineering skills, and social responsibility in the next generation of designers and builders. The organization's Architects in Schools program pairs professionals with elementary schools, serving over 5,000 students across the state. Last year, AFO expanded its outreach to underinvested rural and urban areas, making design education available to all children.

Key Takeaways:

• AFO's Architects in Schools program serves over 5,000 students in the Portland metro area, Salem, Eugene, and Central, Southern, Eastern, and Coastal Oregon.
• The program has expanded to include middle school students and provides targeted lessons for middle school math.
• AFO awards six scholarships to students pursuing degrees in architecture, engineering, and other related fields, with a focus on underrepresented groups.
• The scholarships, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, are awarded to students at Portland State University, the University of Oregon, and other Oregon colleges and universities.
• AFO's Formation: The Design Mentorship Collaborative program provides mentorship to soon-to-be graduates transitioning into the design profession.
• The program has supported 21 mentees and 20 mentors in its first year, with plans to expand in the future.

Statistics:

• AFO's Architects in Schools program serves over 5,000 students across the state of Oregon.
• The program has expanded to 185 classrooms in the past year.
• AFO awarded $67,500 across the six scholarships this year.
• The scholarships are awarded to students at 6 different institutions, including Portland State University, the University of Oregon, and other Oregon colleges and universities.

Sources:

• [Kim Ruthardt Knowles, AFO's director of education programs, stating that AFO serves over 5,000 students through the Architects in Schools program]
• [Kim Ruthardt Knowles, AFO's director of education programs, stating that AFO has expanded outreach to underinvested rural and urban areas]
• [Candice Agahan, director of community engagement, stating that AFO scholarships focus on students who are marginalized by ethnicity, gender, and are underrepresented in the AEC industry]
• [Sofia Irvin, the 2025 Hart Scholar, stating her goals for using trauma-informed and public interest design in her practice]
• [Anthony Westwolf, a 2025 Tsagaglalal Scholar, stating his goals for creating spaces that honor Indigenous history and traditions]
• [Gate Kwaleso, the 2025 Colas Scholar, stating his plans to use his skills to design roads and circulation in Oregon and the Congo]