Shirl Buss - Y - PLAN
Organization Overview
Y-PLAN (Youth–Plan, Learn, Act Now!) Elementary is a civic educational
program that invites young people into the heart of city planning and
design, providing them with the tools and platforms needed to tackle real-
world challenges in their communities.
In residencies throughout Bay Area public schools, Y-PLAN Elementary's
architects and urban planners have worked with hundreds of 1st - 5th grade
students on authentic civic challenges posed by real clients. For example,
scientists from the Union of Concerned Scientists asked 5th graders in San
Rafael: "How can we reduce the environmental impacts of climate change
and sea level rise, while creating a more resilient city?" Attorneys from
HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity asked 3rd graders:
"How can we inform our communities about housing laws that protect
people from discrimination based upon race, color, religion, gender,
national origin, familial status, and ability?"
To meet these challenges, architects conduct hands-on workshops in
classrooms to introduce children to design thinking. They encourage
students to look critically at their local environment and introduce them to
design and planning best practices around the world. Then they help
youngsters create drawings, models, and proposals showcasing their
strategies to meet these challenges.
Y-PLAN Elementary has four primary community impacts:
• Children build their capacity for creativity, critical thinking, and civic
leadership
• Students’ visions are incorporated into planning policies and designs
• Adults are inspired by the children’s optimism and humanity
• Communities that are often left out of the civic design process are
engaged
program that invites young people into the heart of city planning and
design, providing them with the tools and platforms needed to tackle real-
world challenges in their communities.
In residencies throughout Bay Area public schools, Y-PLAN Elementary's
architects and urban planners have worked with hundreds of 1st - 5th grade
students on authentic civic challenges posed by real clients. For example,
scientists from the Union of Concerned Scientists asked 5th graders in San
Rafael: "How can we reduce the environmental impacts of climate change
and sea level rise, while creating a more resilient city?" Attorneys from
HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity asked 3rd graders:
"How can we inform our communities about housing laws that protect
people from discrimination based upon race, color, religion, gender,
national origin, familial status, and ability?"
To meet these challenges, architects conduct hands-on workshops in
classrooms to introduce children to design thinking. They encourage
students to look critically at their local environment and introduce them to
design and planning best practices around the world. Then they help
youngsters create drawings, models, and proposals showcasing their
strategies to meet these challenges.
Y-PLAN Elementary has four primary community impacts:
• Children build their capacity for creativity, critical thinking, and civic
leadership
• Students’ visions are incorporated into planning policies and designs
• Adults are inspired by the children’s optimism and humanity
• Communities that are often left out of the civic design process are
engaged