Recreation, Culture & Social Support Services
Box City
What is Box City ?
Box City is a series of cross-circular lesson plans for school children revolving around land-use planning. The defining component of Box City is the final activity, through which students literally build a city of box-buildings. The Box City program was developed in 1969 by Ginny and Dean Graves of Kansas City as a series of lessons and activities relating to urban planning. Since then it has expanded across the United States, Australia and Canada . It has also been expanded to include lesson ideas for all age groups. Box City provides a technique for teaching students about a wide range of topics, from local history, to algebra and the sciences, to civics. Students often enjoy the interconnected aspects of assignments and working towards designing and building their own unique city.
Box City in Wood Buffalo
To educate the public on planning issues, and raise awareness of Envision Wood Buffalo, the Municipality selected two schools to run a Box City pilot project. One grade six class from Ecole Dickensfield and three grade six classes from St. Anne participated in Box City. Three planners from the Municipality opted to teach one lesson a week from February to April. Each lesson was 90 minutes and covered a wide range of topics facing the Municipality. Tying in with Envision, there was an emphasis on sustainable practices throughout all 4 classes. Students were taught about, and later applied, sustainable practices and principles to their cities.
Box City Report - September 2008
