In Anchorage, Alaska, a group of seventh-grade students is making a powerful impact on their community, one tiny home at a time. The students at STrEaM Academy have turned a classroom project into a hands-on solution to the city’s pressing housing issues. Through their design and construction of a tiny home, these young minds have not only learned about architecture and engineering but also helped address homelessness in their community.
A Lesson in Compassion and Creativity
The project began last year when the seventh graders at STrEaM Academy took on the challenge of researching local housing needs and brainstorming ways they could help. Their solution: design and build a tiny home that could offer shelter to those in need. After months of research, planning, and hands-on work, the students unveiled their creation: an 8-foot by 8-foot tiny house with a unique seven-degree roof angle to help manage Alaska’s heavy snow and rain.
The house, built with precision and care, cost $3,650.58 to construct—an amount that underscores the efficiency and ingenuity of the students. The compact design was not just about maximizing space but also ensuring the home could withstand Alaska’s harsh weather conditions.