Architectural science student works to expand opportunities for systematically marginalized youth
Recognizing that socio-economic barriers can often limit access to education, architectural science student, Marwa Al-Saqqar, is striving to expand opportunities for future generations.
By focusing their architectural science work primarily on youth engagement in racialized and low-income neighbourhoods, Al-Saqqar is working to co-create inclusive spaces for systemically marginalized youth in the STEM fields.
Freedom By Design (external link) (FBD) is a student-led community service program run by the American Institute of Architecture Students (external link) (AIAS) which held an open-call submission for the Department of Architectural Science (DAS) students to share pavement design proposals. Through FBD, Al-Saqqar was connected with Church Street Junior Public School, where teachers were looking to revitalize their playground to provide a space for collaborative learning. While this project was underway, Al-Saqqar and the other FBD members also oversaw interactive workshops with the elementary students to teach the youth about fabrication processes, including laser cutting designs for stencils in the schoolyard.
Through their commitment to enhancing access to education in lower-income communities, Vincent Hui, Associate Chair, Experiential Learning and Co-operative Education at DAS, nominated Al-Saqqar for the Dean’s Community Impact Prize.
"Where others would have been satisfied with such notable contributions to the local community, Marwa has since been instrumental in new initiatives," said Hui. This includes co-creating ‘Design Justice’ workshops with Design as Protest (external link) (DAP) and co-leading the FEAS Minecraft programming event that encourages STEAM careers for children in disadvantaged communities.
"In speaking with members of the community including parents, students, and elementary school teachers, everyone praises Marwa’s impact on the school community, specifically on how more community members want to get involved and provide more resources to expand this initiative," said Hui.
