Remember being younger and wishing you had more of a say about your environment? The Chattanooga Design Studio is welcoming the voices of middle schoolers through an educational program that allows them to make their visions a reality.

Enter: Design Your Neighborhood (DYN). This project-based curriculum educates students on common neighborhood issues + allows them to creatively problem-solve as a way to get a sense of place — at no cost to the teachers or schools.

The studio launched Chattanooga's DYN in 2022 after partnering with the Nashville Civic Design Center (which founded the program). Since then, over 100 students have been involved across four schools + six projects.

"We try to let the kids doing the projects have as much choice in where the projects go because we want them to see themselves in their community," said Chattanooga Design Studio Urban Designer Sydney Smith.

She also said they worked with 25 local teachers to build out the curriculum to ensure it aligns with state standards + have partnered with CARTA as a way to focus on transit education.

Each project is based on a three-week lesson plan with optional training for teachers + career days. | Photo provided by Chattanooga Design Studio

Hamilton County teachers can opt-in at any point throughout the school year + choose one or all of the units to teach in their classroom with ready-made lesson plans.

English language arts | Advocacy podcast | Opportunity for speakers in transportation or podcast experts to be interviewed by students
Science/STEM | Sustainable transportation paint challenge | Identify areas on or around campus that could be improved + study traffic patterns to find solutions and designs — think: The sidewalk leading into Howard Middle School.
Visual arts | Transit artwork project | Identify a bus stop along the school route to beautify — think: The Tennessee Baptist Children's Home bus stop on Lee Highway done by Tyner Middle School.

Bonus: Teachers receive a $100 stipend + credited professional development.

Smith said the DYN team will also step in and provide whatever resources teachers need along the way — from guest speakers and career days to equipment needed for the projects.

Looking to get involved? Teachers who want to get a project started + community members who want to volunteer their time or supplies can inquire via email.