Tyner Middle Academy has partnered with Chattanooga Design Studio on the Design Your Neighborhood (DYN) project
Chattanooga, Tennessee- Tyner Middle Academy has partnered with Chattanooga Design Studio on the Design Your Neighborhood (DYN) project, providing eighth-grade eLab students a unique opportunity to engage directly with their community through creative problem-solving and urban design. This month-long initiative enhances the educational experience by connecting classroom learning with real-world applications, empowering students to make tangible contributions to their surroundings.
This hands-on approach deepens students' understanding of urban design principles and instills a sense of ownership and pride in their contributions to the community's infrastructure. Lora Taylor, the eLab Specialist at Tyner Middle Academy, discovered this opportunity through Community Share, a program that connects all K-12 HCS educators with local community partners to ensure access to necessary resources.
"I love witnessing the level of self-expression the students have achieved with this project. It has been entirely student-driven, and the Design Studio has provided me with all the materials to make it successful," said Taylor.
During the project, Tyner Middle Academy's 8th-grade eLab class visited multiple bus stops near the school. The visits empowered students to select a location to showcase their creative project, which will soon be featured at their selected spot. This process ensured their work had a personal and community-focused impact.
As part of the initiative, 'Local Artist Day' connected students with professionals in the field, such as Julius Hubbard, who played a pivotal role in helping Tyner Middle Academy students develop a cohesive theme and style for their bus stop art project.
This collaboration extends beyond the classroom, offering students a broader perspective during 'Career Day,' where they were exposed to potential career paths in urban design and art.
Inspired by Howard Connect and East Lake Academy and soon to be joined by Sale Creek in May, Tyner Middle Academy's participation in Design Your Neighborhood showcases the impact of education in promoting community involvement and individual development. Through projects like these, Hamilton County Schools continues to create student empowerment through community connections.