IB Design in Action: Students Build Model Walkable Communities

Picture living in a place where everything you need is just steps away. At McKemy Academy of International Studies, middle school students took that idea a step further, researching and building their own model walking community.

“The purpose of the walking community project was to introduce a different kind of living,” IB Design teacher Claudia Becho shared. “A community where you have grocery stores and shops nearby, with limited use of vehicles.”

Eighth grader Ava Moore said she learned that walkable neighborhoods offer far more than convenience and efficiency. “A walking community helps the environment, helps your mental and physical health, and makes transportation easier,” she said,

For Moore and her partner, a Super Target was an efficient way to meet multiple needs. “We chose Target because it has a lot of what people need—food, clothing, books, and even Starbucks and CVS inside.”

While some of Moore’s classmates kept a similar focus on necessities in designing their spaces, others leaned more into spaces that highlight people's talents, hobbies, and interests. From Zia Records and Barnes & Noble to Canes and Taco Bell, the McKemy vision of a walkable community reflected a variety of interests and personalities. A cat cafe even made an appearance.

Beyond creativity, students also had to think critically about what types of businesses truly belong in a walkable community. “I want students to think realistically—what kind of retail shops can a walking community have,” Becho said. “We don’t need big box stores like Costco or Home Depot. We’re looking for small shops like a coffee shop, a donut shop, a bike shop.”

Rather than limiting students’ ideas, Becho encourages exploration. “I rarely say no because I’m not sure what they’re going to create,” she said. “So I give them the green light.”

In fact, that exploration is key to the purpose of the IB Design class, which is required every year as part of McKemy’s International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. “The goal of IB design is for students to understand the design process.” Becho added. “We focus on the process rather than the product.”

Through IB Design, students build skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and research. Hands-on projects like the walking community let them explore real-world challenges, make interdisciplinary connections, and envision creative solutions.

Explore McKemy Academy of International Studies at the Open House on December 2 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

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This opportunity reflects Tempe Elementary’s commitment to strengthening specialized programs and/or school options, as outlined in Goal 3.3 of the Strategic Plan.

About McKemy Academy of International Studies
McKemy Academy of International Studies is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School serving grades six through eighth grade. McKemy’s IB global mindedness program aims at developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. Learn more about McKemy Academy of International Studies.