CANstructing And Caring

By Laurie Borst

Newtown Middle School Gifted and Talented Educational Services (GATES) students have been learning lately about architectural principals while helping needy folks in the state.

GATES teacher Patrice Gans has introduced her students to the CANstruction competition that is sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). This is the competition’s sixth year in the state of Connecticut and the first year Newtown students are participating. Eighty sites throughout the country will hold competitions this year. There is also an international level to the competition.

“The goal of this event is to give students the opportunity to work with design professionals to learn about construction including structural engineering techniques, math and geometry, design development, and to create food for food banks,” Ms Gans explained.

The students have to design a sculpture that will use between 2,000 and 4,000 cans. The youngsters also have to raise money to purchase the food. Not only will they have to design the sculpture, but there are many aspects to this endeavor. If cans average $1 each, the students need to find ways to raise $2,000 to $4,000.

Where to store that many cans is another obstacle. Transporting all those cans to the Hartford Civic Center, where the buildout will occur on May 11, presents another hurdle. Judging takes place the following Thursday.

For the design aspect, the students will have the expertise of local architects to help them. Danbury architect Leigh Overland, who owns an architectural design firm, and two of his assistants, Tom McLaughlin and Shilpa Patel, will provide direction. Gary Doski, parent of a GATES student and a design architect, is also volunteering his time.

Mr Overland and the other adult volunteers met with the students on February 1 and 2 during their “lunch and learn” period. He discussed strategies for how to accomplish this feat. Practice building will have to occur. Students also have to consider colors of labels on the cans.

“You can make a statement with your sculpture,” Mr Overland offered. “Global warming or food kitchens. Think about feasibility.”

The students were given the assignment to come up with ideas and sketch them out for their next meeting, on February 13. The professionals will talk with the students about their ideas, assess what will work, and then the students will vote for the best two or three ideas.

Once the sculpture’s form is determined, the architects will use computers to draw up plans, which must be submitted by April 27.

The students received a six-page packet listing rules and regulations for the sculptures and the signage that will be displayed with the entry.

Sculptures will be judged in five categories: Best Meal, Best Use of Labels, Structural Ingenuity, Jurors’ Favorite, and The Connecticut Award.

All cans are donated to the Connecticut Food Bank for distribution to local food banks near each participating school.

For more information, or to make a donation, contact Ms Gans at the middle school, 426-7642 or gansp@newtown.k12.ct.us.