Inventing Your Sustainable Space

This was a 2012 pilot program of The Reach Center. It is no longer available. To explore current STEM opportunities, contact us to talk with a STEM Guide or search our STEM Resource Bank.

Did you like to play with blocks as a kid?

Been thinking about life in the future?

Do the concepts of space, scale, and light intrigue you?

Then Inventing Your Sustainable Space, a UMA and Reach Center program on architecture, sustainability, and energy efficiency might be for you!

Tackle architectural design in a fun, hands-on way in this first year-long program of the Reach Center, a project of the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA), that starts with a week at the University of Maine at Augusta’s YoUMA summer program.

The Inventing Your Sustainable Space program will bring a group of students together to learn and do science and math outside of school. To be eligible for the Reach scholarship for the YoUMA program (which covers the entire cost of registration), you must be in 11th or 12th grade in 2012-2013, live or go to school near Augusta, and commit to actively participate in this intensive learning experience (see full list of requirements below).

What Is Inventing Your Sustainable Space?

  • Interesting and fun activities and workshops at YoUMA summer camp and at two weekend meetings that you help design – you have a say in what you want to explore.
  • A community of peers to team up with on projects.
  • An opportunity to learn about architectural design, sustainability, and energy efficiency.
  • Educators and professionals who will present information and answer your questions.
  • Online discussions and mini-courses offered on topics such as energy audits, materials, or environmental effects of your chosen interest.
  • Support to complete a project that you design and develop with other members: Utilize the concepts of space, scale, and light to excite al of your senses and develop your own unique idea.
  • Free: For all participating students, the Reach Center will cover the entire cost of the camp fee ($250). All materials and equipment, virtual courses, travel, and lodging and food at in-person meetings are completely free.

How It Works

This is our plan for the year-long program:

  • One week, July 16-20, this summer at the YoUMA summer camp (see info at http://www.uma.edu/yo/Home.html)
  • One weekend this fall (in September or October)
  • One weekend next spring
  • One week next summer for the final building project
  • Possibly additional project meetings next spring that will depend on what you choose as your project
  • A couple of hours each week throughout the school year online or on your own
  • Participation in documenting your progress online throughout the year

All weekend in-person events will be located in the Augusta area, and will be scheduled with participants. Note that if the number of students is low, we may meet less often or change the year-long project. However, the YoUMA camp scholarship will still be honored.

What Is In It for You?

  • At least one college credit from UMA
  • A deep introduction to the architecture major at UMA
  • Preferential consideration should you wish to apply to UMA’s Bachelor of Arts in Architecture program (must meet admissions requirements)
  • You help decide, with your peers, opportunities in the one-year Inventing Your Sustainable Space experience and the project you complete
  • A chance for creative problem solving, teamwork, communication, and application of math, science, engineering and technology, with assistance from a UMA professor and Reach Center staff

How to Get Started

This program starts with a course at the YoUMA summer camp at the University of Maine at Augusta. All Inventing Your Sustainable Space participants need to attend all phases of the program to qualify for financial support and UMA credit.

This program is closed.