Ball State Student Planning Association
WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO
Box City
2014
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The Student Planning Association was able to volunteer with Promise Road Elementary School in Nobelsville, IN on October 9th and 10th, this was an amazing opportunity to share our passion for planning with these children.
On the first day of working with the children they held a Mock City Council Meeting to vote on a proposed development project, these children had to persuade the city council members to either accept the plan, accept the plan with conditions, or deny the plan completely. After this city council meeting the students were given the opportunity to "purchase" a piece of land and "develop" on that piece of land. They were shown the different zoning district in their town and even had to get a building permit through the local planning office.
On the second day the students presented information about historic landmarks from each county in the state. The students were lead by the teachers in building models of the landmarks they researched.
We couldn't have asked for a greater group of kids to have worked with, thanks for allowing us to participate in such an amazing program.
Future Cities
2014
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Future City is a national competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in which they design a virtual city and address specific planning issues within their city. The competition requires teams of students to work with a faculty advisor and mentor to create a city using the SimsCity computer software, build a physical model using only recycled materials, write a narrative addressing a planning/engineering problem, and eventually present their ideas to a panel of judges. The SPA was luck enough this year to be asked to help with this amazing opportunity.
Habitat for Humanity
2014
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SPA recently volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. This particular house was in the demolition phase. Members were able to take part in one of the first Habitat demolitions in Muncie.
Box City
2013
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SPA members were able to travel to Noblesville, IN to help with the 'Box City' program. This program allows 3rd and 4th graders the opportunity to design thier own buildings, obtain building permits, and contruct thier buildings in thier collective Box City.