QA+M Architecture, in collaboration with Gilbane Building Company and consultants RZ Design Associates, Inc., Alfred Benesch & Company, and To Design @ FHI Studio, worked with the North Branford Branford School superintendent, principals, and teachers to provide STEAM education and career counselling related to the design and construction industry. Over the course of the 2021-2022 school year, Carson Collier, AIA, and Angela Cahill, AIA, along with their colleagues at QA+M, met with elementary, middle, and high school students to introduce them to the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction, while also educating them on the new high school QA+M designed for them, which the first phase will open next year.

“The students’ enthusiasm and interest in their future building, and the skills needed to design and build it, was great to see”, said Carson, “reading their reviews of our mentoring program was gratifying, since many expressed interests in learning more about pursuing potential careers in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction professions.”

Angela mentioned that with every school district QA+M works with, they customize a mentoring program. “It’s a win-win. The industry needs future designers and builders, and the curriculum we teach speaks directly to STEAM and collaborative learning”, she said.

QA+M is thrilled to have brought added value to their client. “It means so much to us to deliver more than the new high school”, said Carson, who is the lead architect on the project. Teacher Carrie Seiden said to QA+M: “Thank you again for your commitment to our kids. This has been a rich & rewarding experience for all of us.”