Building Creativity at Cicero Prep’s 8th-Grade Architecture Fair

The Architecture Fair at Cicero Prep, an annual showcase of 8th-grade projects, is a display of innovation and craftsmanship, providing students with an opportunity to show their architectural projects, using a variety of household items and art supplies, in a public forum.

As Jared Johnson, the lead teacher for the event, explains, “The Architecture Fair grew out of the longstanding tradition of the Architecture Project, as a way of celebrating all the creativity and effort that gets poured into it. Inviting parents is a lot of fun because they, of course, play a significant role in ensuring that the project happens at home. It’s a family effort, and it’s heartwarming to get to commemorate that.”

The fair offers a glimpse into the ingenuity and craftsmanship of students. Johnson describes the range of projects, saying, “It’s always interesting to see what kids do and how they do it. There are always some staples. Some of the most popular picks are the various Domes of the Rock, which is a simple but artful design, and Leaning Towers of Pisa, which needs intricate arcades and, of course, to lean.”

“But the more singular ones are great as well,” explained Johnson. “Seeing how students express specific and difficult architecture features is one of my favorite aspects of the fair. Flying buttresses and stained glass on Gothic cathedrals, or various kinds of domes; one student used a balloon for the dome his Pisa Baptistry.”

“One Reims Cathedral was designed painstakingly to showcase its elaborate Gothic archway portals (doorways). The student carefully cut and layered cardboard for a vivid pop-out effect,” recalled Johnson. “Another’s Hohensalzburg, a rare choice, needed a large hill. She told me how she had handled the challenge of building a mountain as well as a fortress using a variety of materials, including lots of plaster.”

“Many students were eager to show me their ‘blood, sweat, and tears’: hot glue burns and papercuts,” he added.

For both students and teachers, the process is both rewarding and challenging. Johnson acknowledges that, “Assigning a project like this is always a bit stressful. So much is out of your hands, and you can only do so much to help once it’s out there. But seeing and celebrating the fruits of a lot of love, effort, and creativity, is life-giving.”

The Architecture Fair at Cicero Prep brings together the students’ creativity and dedication. It is a special event that highlights their hard work, the support of their families, and the guidance of their teachers, making it a meaningful experience for everyone involved.

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.