Pug Ed-now in its fifth year-is a program designed to engage senior elementary school students in architecture, design and urban development by studying the built environment that surrounds them. The 2011 Pug Ed program launched in March with 25 Grade 8 students participating from Jesse Ketchum Public School (Bay & Davenport) and Queen Alexandra Senior Public School (Broadview & Dundas).
The founders of the Pug Awards believe that a cultural appreciation for smart and responsible design can be achieved by exposing Toronto's youth to the issues, resources and professions that define the form and function of our city. The Pug Awards present a series of after-class sessions where students engage with some of Toronto's most influential professionals and organizations involved with the ongoing development of the city.
Students also enter a design competition requiring the preparation of a complete redevelopment proposal for a specific urban scenario. On May 31st at the Design Exchange in Toronto, students will make a verbal, written and visual presentation of their proposals to be judged by industry notables. Winners of the competition will receive significant educational bursaries-awarded in three levels of scholarship-and will be honoured at the Pug Awards closing ceremony on June 20th, 2011 at the Royal Conservatory.
