Mentoring the Next Generation of Makers
This spring, OU’er Michael Contento participated as a mentor in Silver Creek Modular’s “School of the Future” design competition, working with high school students from across Los Angeles to rethink what learning spaces could be. Over the course of four working sessions, students explored design through hands-on workshops, vision boards, and model-making. The objective of the program was to encourage students to think through the real issues they face at school, ranging from safety and classroom layouts to access to resources; students then considered how these challenges could be addressed through innovative design techniques, technology, and sustainability.
The program began with a visit to Crenshaw’s Sankofa Park, a nearby site for their conceptual school. From there, students dove into re-imagining what a school could look like with free creative expression. “As mentors, our role was to help draw out the students’ ideas and support them in developing and refining those ideas,” said Michael. With no rigid rules or design briefs, the students were empowered to define their own goals and direction. Crucially, every project reflected a deep understanding of the importance of community. Each group worked to design schools that weren’t just buildings, but active, integrated parts of the neighborhoods they serve—spaces that foster connection and growth for everyone, not just students.
