• 2026-2027 Architects in Schools Application: Design/Building Professional and Student Application

  • Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2026-2027 Architects in Schools season. You must read the program information and complete the following application to participate. Please read each question carefully and respond thoughtfully.  

    Architects in Schools delivers arts programming, environmental understanding, awareness of cultural links to history, understanding responsibility to the natural environment, career awareness and communication skills - all through the principles and practices of architecture and design while addressing required education standards.

    We have listed different options for how you can participate in the Architects in Schools this year. If you would like to participate in a way that is not listed, please feel free to contact us!

    Questions? Contact Kim Ruthardt Knowles at 503-317-7537, kim@af-oregon.org, Candice Agahan, candice@af-oregon.org, or Sam Majors, sam@af-oregon.org.

    More about Architects in Schools

  • Have you participated in AiS before?*

  • Preferred Residency Participation Term

    If you have participated in AiS in the last 5 years, and would prefer a FALL residency please pause on completing this application and contact Kim Knowles, kim@af-oregon.org for approval by Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

    Please know we may not be able to guarantee your preferred volunteer time. We will do our best to pair you with a teacher that requests a similar option. 

    If you are applying as part of a team of design/building professionals, please make sure that you are all choosing the same time frame for your residency (i.e all choose 'after Janurary...', etc.)

  • When would you prefer that you participate in an AiS residency?*

  • Residency Format

    Often sessions are an hour-long per week, for one to six weeks. However, there are many ways to organize a residency. Please find examples here.

    For Virtual Residencies, please note that Design Professionals and College Design Students will only be paired with a teacher for a virtual residency if that teacher has also chosen virtual as an option. Note: there are more teachers who request in-person residencies.

    After you are partnered with a teacher, AFO staff will offer support and assist your team with planning sessions to make sure AiS is best serving you, your teacher partner, and the students.

  • I am interested in participating in the 2026-2027 AiS season in the following ways:*
  • I would like to partner with a classroom teacher to design a custom in-person residency including (check all possibilities you are open to):*
  • I would like to partner with a classroom teacher to design a custom virtual residency including (check all possibilities you are open to):*
  • I am a:*

  • Contact & General Information

  • Pronouns*

  • AiS Communications

    You will receive all AiS communications through the email you provided above. Please add kim@af-oregon.org, candice@af-oregon.org, and sam@af-oregon.org to your email contact list. 

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • The address entered is:*
  • Affiliation

  • Orientation Information

    All first-time AiS volunteers are required to participate in a virtual orientation. Contact kim@af-oregon.org if you are new and have concerns about completing an orientation.

    If you have participated in the past, but it has been more than 5 years since you attended an orientation, we highly encourage that you attend an orientation as well. 

    AFO will be offering a free, trauma-informed practices workshop, during the school year that will prepare you for working with youth from different backgrounds. We strongly encourage all volunteers, new and returning, to attend the workshop. You will receive a calendar invite when it is scheduled. A recording of the session will be offered. 

  • All program orientations will be virtual. Please choose how you plan to participate in the orientation. Please pick one option:*

  • Please register for the Saturday, November 14, 9:30-11:00am (11:00-11:30am Optional Q&A) Architects in Schools Virtual Orientation.

    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting as well as downloadeable calendar invites. 

     

  • Please register for the Tuesday, November 17, 4:30-6:00pm (6:00-6:30pm Optional Q&A) Architects in Schools Virtual Orientation.

    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting as well as downloadable calendar invites. 

  • Residency Preferences

  • I would like to participate in or near:*
  • Are you able and willing to drive to a school in your geographic area?*
  • The following schools are unserved by a design / building professional. Please select any of the schools you are willing to volunteer at:
  • The following are communities especially in need of AiS. Please check any you'd be willing to work in to ensure those students participation:
  • If you already have plans to work with a specific school, have you spoken with the teacher and have they agreed to work with you?*
  • Would you be willing to work with a teacher in another area of the state on a virtual residency in the instance that school doesn't have a design/building professional to work with from their own area?*
  • Are you willing to work with up to two classrooms at the same school?*

  • This means that if needed, you will be working with two teachers who will be encouraged to follow a similar residency plan, but classrooms may operate separately. If you have any questions about this, please contact Kim Knowles, kim@af-oregon.org.

  • Are you willing to work with a school that is religiously affiliated?*
  • Are you willing to work with a school that has a different method of instruction?*

  • i.e. Montessori, Waldorf, Home School, etc.

    If you have any questions about this, please contact Kim Knowles, kim@af-oregon.org.

  • Would you be interested in utilizing a pre-planned AiS residency? This would allow you to choose from popular residency options where all of the lessons are already defined for the class, instead of planning your own custom residency.*
  • Our complimentary 300+ page Architects in Schools Curriculum Guide is available online to AiS participants through our website. In addition to accessing the guide online, would you like to request a hard copy?*

  • It will be mailed to the address you have listed at the beginning of your application. 

    It costs us $30 to print and mail a curriculum guide. We will mail all hard copies to participants that request one. If you request a hard copy, please consider donating $30 to AFO to help us with the added cost for this year: www.af-oregon.org/donate 

  • Do you plan to partner on an AiS residency with another design/building professional?
  • Are you willing to work with:
  • We will prioritize BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color) professionals and design students when assigning volunteers to work with schools serving a high population of BIPOC youth. If you identify as BIPOC, please let us know your preference.

  • Optional Demographics Questionnaire

    Our funders often ask us for a demographic breakdown of our volunteers.

    Please check all that apply. Our purpose of collecting this data is to uplift underrepresented groups who play a valuable role in the AEC field and demonstrate to community members that anyone can decide to contribute to the built environment. This data will not be shared or sold.

    Please consider answering the following questions.

  • How do you identify?
  • Racial/Ethnic Identity
  • Do you identify as BIPOC, a Person of Color, LGBTQIA+, First-generation, a Person with a Disability, or identify with another marginalized community?

  • Consent for Criminal Background Check

    It is required that volunteers in the AiS program go through a background check. Your signature below authorizes the Architecture Foundation of Oregon and Criminal Information Services, Inc. to obtain infromation about you (if applicable) from various law enforcement agencies, courts, and correction agencies.

    Please note: any false information provided may result in you being asked not to participate. Please provide as complete and thruthful information as possible.

    Please complete the below fields.

  • Date of Birth*
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  • Have you ever been convicted of any crime?*

  • Background Check Signature

    I have reviewed and completed this form as applicable to me. I give the Architecture Foundation of Oregon premission to verify any information I have provided. This authorization shall continue to be effective until revoked by me. A photocopy or facsimile copy of this consent shall be as effective as the orginal. By my signature, I affirm that all infromation on this form is true and accurate. 

  • Today's Date*
     - -

  • Design / Building Professional Signature

    By signing this application, I am assuring that all information provided is true to the best of my knowledge and that I have read and am fully aware of the program criteria for participating in this program. I will:

    1. Fully participate in the Architects in Schools program to the best of my ability
    2. Complete an online orientation if I am new to the Architects in Schools program
    3. Attend the trauma workshop offered by AFO (or watch the recording if I cannot attend)
    4. Work with my assigned teacher and AFO as a team to ensure the success of this residency

    If for any reason I have concerns or am not able to participate fully in the Architects in Schools program, I will notify AFO staff immediately.

    Applicants will receive an application receipt via the email address provided. If you do not receive an emailed receipt within a week, please notify Kim Ruthardt Knowles at 503-317-7537 or kim@af-oregon.org.

  • Design Student Signature

    By signing this application, I am assuring that all information provided is true to the best of my knowledge and that I have read and am fully aware of the program criteria for participating in this program. I will:

    1. Fully participate in the Architects in Schools program to the best of my ability
    2. Complete an online orientation if I am new to the Architects in Schools program
    3. Attend the trauma workshop offered by AFO (or watch the recording if I cannot attend)
    4. Work with my assigned teacher, design/building professional partner, and AFO as a team to ensure the success of this residency

    If for any reason I have concerns or am not able to participate fully in the Architects in Schools program, I will notify AFO staff immediately.

    Applicants will receive an application receipt via the email address provided. If you do not receive an emailed receipt within a week, please notify Kim Ruthardt Knowles at 503-317-7537 or kim@af-oregon.org.

  • Today's Date*
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