Students Build Cities

Our consulting services put youth at the centre of the process. This happens primarily through our Students Build Cities program, one of our signature initiatives!

For several years, our team has worked in collaboration with the Thames Valley District School Board and STEAM Centre on this innovative program. Essentially, we develop opportunities for elementary and secondary school students to connect meaningfully with community-building projects. Further, we work regularly with university and college students to add a design-thinking approach that helps generate solutions to local challenges. For these in-depth projects, our team partners with the staff at the STEAM Centre on the STEAM Community Studio – this is an experiential learning and community improvement platform that offers the opportunity for students of all levels to come together and prototype new ideas.

How does all this work? The first step is to get in touch! We hear regularly from municipalities, private businesses, community organizations, educators and local residents who are interested in having students inform the direction of new initiatives – this is how we involve youth in the process of improving cities, towns and rural areas in southern Ontario!

Project Spotlight

Over the course of a few years, we have engaged students in the enhancement of a neglected space in downtown St. Thomas. Students have painted murals alongside professional artists, built planter boxes, and welded sculptures to add depth and beauty to the area. Simultaneously, the students learned about the challenges involved in projects like this and how to balance the dynamics of new additions with the existing character and use of the area.

In spring 2024, St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston joined Andrew Gunn and Maddie King of Andrew Gunn Consulting for a photo with teachers and students from Parkside Collegiate Institute. The students painted murals, welded sculptures, and built planter boxes for the ‘Tiny Alley Gallery’ in the downtown core. Artwork and plants continue to be

added to the space.

Please find below a list of other ‘Students Build Cities’ projects:

Ignite Youth Centre art project – check out the CTV London news article!
Mural project in Aylmer, Ontario, with the Aylmer Malahide Museum & Archives;
Visioning sessions for the development of Westlake Evans Park in St. Thomas;
Painted picnic table project with Covent Garden Market in London;
Providing student input for the design of the new Hospice of Elgin;
Helping to shape the new ‘Transportation Master Plan’ for the City of St. Thomas;
Updating the ‘Parks and Recreation Master Plan’ for the City of St. Thomas;
Imagining the ‘Future of Arts & Culture’ for the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation and Railway City Tourism.

Have a look as well at past projects of the STEAM Community Studio.