Letting Middle School Voices Shape Chattanooga’s Neighborhoods

Letting Middle School Voices Shape Chattanooga’s Neighborhoods

In the heart of Chattanooga, a vibrant initiative is taking shape that has the potential to not only transform neighborhoods but also uplift the voices of younger citizens. It’s all part of a clever initiative called Design Your Neighborhood (DYN), launched by the Chattanooga Design Studio in collaboration with the Nashville Civic Design Center.

What is Design Your Neighborhood?

The idea behind DYN is wonderfully simple yet impactful. It opens doors for middle schoolers to actively engage with their community, learning about common neighborhood challenges while developing creative solutions. This free educational program aims to equip students with tools to visualize and revamp their surroundings—all while gaining a sense of belonging in their community.

Since its inception in 2022, the program has welcomed over 100 students and has huddled them around six detailed projects across four local schools. The hands-on experience empowers students to express their ideas about their neighborhoods and helps them see how their contributions can spark real change.

Curriculum and Support

Chattanooga Design Studio’s Urban Designer, Sydney Smith, emphasized the importance of giving students the reins in their 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,” she said. This approach encourages students to think critically while also fostering a sense of ownership over their work.

The curriculum is based around a three-week lesson plan that includes optional training for teachers and engaging career days. Hamilton County teachers have the flexibility to join in at any point during the school year, selecting one or several units to incorporate into their classrooms. And here’s a cherry on top: teachers who participate receive a $100 stipend along with credited professional development, ensuring their own learning doesn’t get neglected either!

Community Involvement

The Chattanooga Design Studio isn’t just stopping with the classroom initiatives. The DYN team goes above and beyond to support teachers, providing necessary resources such as guest speakers, equipment for hands-on projects, and general assistance to navigate any hurdles along the way.

As the program blossoms, both teachers and community members are encouraged to join in the adventure. If you’re a teacher eager to ignite a project in your classroom or a community member wanting to lend a helping hand—be it time, resources, or supplies—the Chattanooga Design Studio invites you to reach out via email. Together, communities can collaboratively transform their shared spaces, using the bright ideas of their younger generations.

Why This Matters

Providing middle school students with these kinds of opportunities fundamentally changes their relationship with their surroundings. They become not just observers, but active participants in shaping their neighborhoods. This initiative also nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and community engagement—skills that are essential as they grow into the city’s future leaders.

Chattanooga is at an exciting crossroads with the DYN initiative. With its welcoming framework that encourages participation, the vibrant input of middle schoolers could very well lead to innovative transformations across the city’s urban landscape. As these young people take part in designing their neighborhoods, who knows what amazing ideas will spring forth? The future of Chattanooga looks promising indeed!