ARC integrates building, construction, and design activities to help students apply concepts from STEM
(science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), social studies, and the arts in meaningful, grade-level-appropriate ways.
Previously theDesign Connections Partnership was offered in New Haven public schools in grades 1-5. This multi-year, multi-grade project is part of the mathematics curriculum. The program served 25 classroom teachers and their 600 students, 10 math coaches, and 10 art teachers.
The goal - to use architecture and design as a problem-solving tool to integrate math and science learning with sequential and comprehensive art and design-based learning to:
create standards-based Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) lessons and introduce STEM-related careers
develop 21st Century skills – collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking
encourage students to apply academic concepts in authentic tasks and foster students' sense of community and civic involvement
The program faced a significant setback in 2024 with the passing of Anna Sanko, the founder and executive director of the Architecture Resource Center (ARC) since its inception. In response, ARC has entered a period of reconstruction with the support of the American Institute of Architects, Connecticut (AIA CT), based in New Haven. Gina Calabro, Executive Director and CEO of AIA CT, has stepped into the role of Executive Director of ARC.
To guide this new chapter, a comprehensive five-year Strategic Plan was developed in 2024. The plan outlines future initiatives and includes tools to evaluate and measure the impact of ARC’s methodologies and content. The organization is now placing a renewed focus on expanding programs tailored for libraries, museums, after-school settings, and camps serving elementary and high school students.