What is S.T.E.A.M?

“STEAM Education is an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.”

The critical thinking abilities learned through interactive and process-based education are an important set of skills needed to become an Architect. As a subject, Architecture encompasses all aspects of STEAM in many ways, a few examples being environmental and physical sciences, adaptation of 21st century technologies, building engineering, human-based design, and algorithmic parameters.

While you will use your knowledge of STEAM in this year’s Architectural Competition Project design, your building’s main program will be based off 1 (one) of the letters from the Acronym STEAM. Use this topic as inspiration for the type of Education Lab you would want to be available to you and your interests. Curtail the use of support spaces to your Main Topic Anchor.

Possibilities for this Lab include (but are not limited to) a Studio Art center, Science & Research lab, Robotics fabrication, VR Learning zone, Digital Media hub, or any other hobby or interest related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, or Math. This 25,000 square-foot building can be on 1 of the 3 sites, next to the Silos in Memorial City. Your building and site elements must fit within the boundary of your chosen site, including parking. Parking is limited to 10 – 15 spaces, 4 of which need to be ADA accessible. Consider how the site is accessed from the road and the presence your building gives viewers as they begin to approach the site. The characteristics of your building design will impact how it is viewed from the site, so carefully consider how to organize site elements around your building to ensure a comfortable outdoor environment for visitors.

Be sure to consider the context of the surrounding neighborhood, including local aesthetics, culture, and landmarks in your design. Don't forget that this is first and foremost an ideas competition. Be creative!

The Michael G. Meyers Design & Scholarship Competition is an annual event sponsored by Architecture Center Houston Foundation, AIA Houston, and local architectural firms and affiliates. This is an ideas competition with an emphasis on creative problem solving and graphic presentation.

All Houston area high school students are eligible to participate regardless of class affiliation or age. Entrants are requested to enter only once per year as a member of a team or as an individual. Teachers and Counselors are encouraged to promote this scholarship competition.

The 2024 MGMC Program and Description Guidelines can be seen here.
The 2024 MGMC Site Plan PDF and DWG Files can be downloaded here.

IMPORTANT 2024 DATES:

Student & Teacher Workshop
Saturday, January 20
9am-1pm
Architecture Center Houston
902 Commerce St, 77002
If you would like to receive updates and emails about the 2024 program, please reach out to jennifer@aiahouston.org

Project Site Tour
Saturday, February 17
10:00 am
Location: 1140 Lumpkin Rd
Register here

Interim Project Review
Saturday, March 23
10am-Noon
Architecture Center Houston,
902 Commerce St, 77002
Register here

Projects Due
Projects can dropped off starting Thursday, May 9 from 9:00am-5:30pm
The deadline is Friday, May 10, 5:30pm (late projects will be accepted on Saturday, May 11, 10am-noon)
Architecture Center Houston
902 Commerce St, 77002
All students MUST fill out Student Label Form and attach to the back of their project. Student label can be found here. 

Awards Ceremony
Thursday, May 16
6:00pm
Architecture Center Houston,
902 Commerce St, 77002
Register Here