OUR STORY
Design Education Modus Operandi (D.E.M.O.) is a collaborative team of educators and designers who are linked together by a shared mission - inspiring and empowering Minnesota's children through design.
We develop and teach workshops and classes that introduce pk-12 students, parents, and educators to design thinking - the creative process used by architects, landscape architects, product designers, and others to both set and solve problems. This work lies at the intersection of art and science, requiring (and developing) both right and left brain thinking and building the core 21st century skills of creativity, communication, and collaboration
OUR TEAM
Our team has deep connections to the Twin Cities’ design community along with extensive experience developing, coordinating, and running design-related programming for both children and adults. Members of our team have worked with (or in some cases, in) local k-12 schools, colleges, universities, and cultural institutions.
TEAM BIOS
Wendy Friedmeyer - Executive Director
During her time as Educational Programs Coordinator for the University of Minnesota's Design Institute, Wendy Friedmeyer led the successful summer Design Camp program that brought the world of interdisciplinary design to kids for six years.
While at the Design Institute, Wendy also helped coordinate the development of the Design Minor, a program meant to introduce incoming college students from diverse backgrounds to the various disciplines of design.
Currently, Wendy is working with Assistant Professor of Architecture John Comazzi on Parallel Play, a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funded initiative through the University of Minnesota's College of Design that explores the importance of design-thinking and studio-based learning in preK-12 education. The initiative will also look at themes surrounding active learning environments in PK-12 education and seeks to collaborate and build partnerships with public and private schools throughout Minnesota.
Wendy holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Redlands (California) and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Hamline University (Minnesota).
Adam Jarvi - Assistant Executive Director
Adam Jarvi is D.E.M.O.'s assistant executive director and in-house designer. He is also founder of StudioJarvi LLC, an interdisciplinary design practice based in Minneapolis.
Adam holds a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture (B.S.Arch), both from the University of Minnesota's College of Design. While at the University, he worked closely with Assistant Professor of Architecture John Comazzi in the area of design and education. This work included involvement in both the highly successful Design Camp program run by the University's Design Institute and a pioneering program with a local elementary school that integrated design projects into the everyday curriculum. Currently, Adam is leading D.E.M.O.s design workshop initiative, a program to expand the reach of design and spatial thinking to K-12 students, parents, and teachers that has already resulted in a successful and ongoing relationship with several major institutions in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
In addition to work related to design in education, Adam has collaborated in the design and assembly of several public exhibitions and worked at the nationally recognized architecture firm of Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle, Ltd. He is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects (Assoc. AIA) and an associate member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (Assoc. AIGA).
Kristen Murray - Project Coordinator
Kristen Murray is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Architecture degree at the University of Minnesota's College of Design. Based on her past work in the field of informal science education, she is interested both in the design of learning environments and the evaluation of creative educational programs.
Prior to coming to the University of Minnesota, Kristen spent eight years at the Science Museum of Minnesota where she developed programs for the museum's Learning Technologies Center and Youth Science Center. Her work explores the intersections of science, technology, art, craft, and play through the development of creative, project-based learning experiences for children, teens, and adults. She has participated in and led projects funded by the National Science Foundation and local corporate foundations, and worked with youth and educators across the U.S. and abroad.
OUR WORK
Whether teaching digital 3d modeling, building physical scale models, or designing and making maps that shed new light on the world around us, our workshops teach new skills and provide a structured framework in which to apply and sharpen them. (Past work page coming soon.)
UPCOMING CLASSES + WORKSHOPS
Free First Saturday _ the Walker Art Center (info)
June 5th, 2010
Edina Highlands Summer Design Lab*
June 15th-18th, 2010
Target Free Thurs. Night _ the Walker Art Center (info)
June 24th, 2010
Jane Addams Summer Design Lab*
July 6th-9th, 2010
DigiFabLab 2010*
July 19th-23rd (Click to register)
*In partnership with the School of Architecture at the University of Minnesota's College of Design
HERE
SUPPORT OUR WORK
D.E.M.O. is supported by foundations and individuals just like you! While we await approval of our own tax-exempt status, those interested in supporting our efforts can make tax-deductible donations through our temporary fiscal sponsor, Springboard for the Arts.
MAKING A DONATION
Online: Donations of any amount can be made with the click of a mouse at our GiveMN page. All donors will receive an acknowledgement letter containing Springboard's tax I.D. number.
Check: Those wishing to make a donation by check can mail them directly to the address below:
Springboard for the Arts
308 Prince Street, Suite 270
St. Paul, MN 55101
Please note that all checks must be made out to Springboard for the Arts (put D.E.M.O. on the memo line). All donors will receive an acknowledgement letter containing Springboard's tax I.D. number.
We thank you for your support!
DESIGN EDUCATION MODUS OPERANDI (D.E.M.O.)
619 South 10th Street, Suite 102
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Email: demo.schools_gmail.com
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