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From the Ground Up

Visual Arts
Engineering
Leadership

Wonderworks

Houston, TX5 weeks (15 June – 17 July 2026)Deadline passed

From the Ground Up is a selective five-week pre-college architecture program presented by Wonderworks in partnership with the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design at the University of Houston. Open to high school students in grades 10 through 12 with a minimum 3.0 GPA and strong standardized test scores, the program offers a rigorous introduction to architecture through daily lectures on architectural history and theory, hands-on studio design projects, and field trips to significant buildings across Texas. Now in its 30th year, it is one of the most established and prestigious summer programs available to aspiring architects. Tuition is $1,500, and full-tuition scholarships are available for students demonstrating financial need.

Visit wonderworkshouston.org

Skills You'll Build

Visual Art

Creating drawings, paintings, or other visual work to express ideas and observations.

Problem Solving

Breaking down a challenge and working through it methodically to a solution.

Critical Thinking

Evaluating information carefully before drawing a conclusion or making a decision.

Project Management

Planning tasks, timelines, and resources to get a project done on schedule.

Research Methods

Gathering and evaluating information systematically to answer a question.

Related Careers

Architect

Direct focus on architectural design fundamentals, studio work, and portfolio development for architecture school applications.

Interior Designer

Students design small-scale buildings and spaces, developing spatial planning and design aesthetic skills.

Urban Planner

Field trips to diverse Texas buildings and landscapes build understanding of the built environment and urban design.

Quick Facts

Grade Levels
10th - 12th
Format
In-Person
Time Commitment
40 hrs/week (9AM-4PM, M-F for 5 weeks)
Competitiveness
Highly Selective
Best For
Aspiring architects and designers

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