CWSA: Empowering Teens through Design Education August 3, 2011

Since 2008, Larissa Itomlenskis has been teaching user-centered design classes to teens in the Cleveland public schools, through the local nonprofit Progressive Arts Alliance.
Larissa’s goal is to transform the classroom into a design studio – to create an environment that encourages creativity, minimizes judgment, and provides structure for getting things done. She has found teens are really excited about design. By creating their own website or architecture project, design offers an outlet for students to build something relevant and unique.

Larisa will speak about her teaching process, and show projects from two architecture workshops. Student's projects tackle problems important to them, including violence, drugs, access to health care, and the bad economy. They include concepts for local businesses, clinics, day care centers, sports and fitness centers, and learning centers. Though young, the students present innovative solutions meant to affect real change.

Official Website: http://clevelandwebstandards.org