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Career Discovery
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What's The Big Idea?
Ready to see what fuels The Big Idea at ASLA Career Discovery?
Dive into our dynamic mix of resources, programs, partnerships, and bold member advocacy - starting with our sing-along favorite, “What’s The Big Idea?”
Watch the video, then take a behind-the-scenes peak in the studio to meet Billy Jonas and watch the production of The Big Idea.
Featured Resources & Educational Outreach Programs
Click the headers below to access Featured Career Discovery Resources & Educational Programs.
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Activity Sketch Books
K-12 and Adults
Schoolyards in Bloom
Grades K-5
Sustainable Landscapes Case Studies
Grades 9-12
The Roof Is Growing
Grades 6-8 (Coming Soon)
YOUR LAND Digital Magazine
Grades 6-12
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Your Path to Landscape Architecture
Grades 9-12
2024 DREAM BIG with Design: Showcase of Landscape Architecture and PreK-12 Design Learning
STEM Literacy by Design
Designed for students in grades preK-6, STEM Literacy by Design features children's books published by ASLA members that leverage outdoor literacy education with reading adventures about the natural environment that integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics STEM subjects and vocabulary. Book supplies are available for members and K-12 educators who want to host a STEM Literacy by Design event. Click here to Submit your request.
Partnerships & Collaborations
Career Discovery partnerships and collaborations prioritize a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning, as well as an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
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American Institute of Architects
As a prominent leader in the design industry, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a passionate advocate for K–12 educational outreach and partners with ASLA to introduce young students to the fields of architecture and landscape architecture.
Boys and Girls Club of America
ASLA welcomed members of the Boys and Girls Club of America to a day of design fun at ASLA's headquarters. Design principles delivered through our Career Discovery resources support their goals to engage, inspire, and empower youth of all ages.
Future City Competition
As the first and only design group represented in the international STEM competition of over 50,000 middle and high school students, ASLA has been a Special Award Sponsor of the Future City Competition since 2018, and ASLA member participation continues to increase as mentors, national judges, and award presenters.
Girl Scouts of the USA
Each year, ASLA partners with local groups to welcome Girl Scouts members to its headquarters and introduce them landscape architecture with a variety of hands-on activities and Career Discovery programming.
Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science
National ASLA partnered with the Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science (HU-MS2) to celebrate PARK(ing) Day. Activities included a parklet design and build and guided tour to explore pollinators and sustainable design principles.
National Building Museum
ASLA partners regularly with the renowned National Building Museum, which educates and engages visitors about the built environment and its impact on communities. Together, we bring Career Discovery programs to life through special programs that attract thousands of visitors like Building Stories, Lawn Days, Girl Scout Days, Teacher Appreciation Nights, and more.
National Society of Black Engineers
Award-winning middle school students developed designs for an accessible, sustainable playground on the campus of Howard University as representatives of the DMV NSBE Jr. Chapter. The winning team received a private, behind-the-scenes look at playground design from landscape architect, Adrienne McCray, RLA, ASLA, Design Principal at ºleeandassociatesinc’s NoMa Swampoodle Park project.
Scouting America
ASLA members nationwide have a long-standing tradition of leadership and engagement with Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America). Many professionals volunteer as merit badge counselors, helping scouts earn the Landscape Architecture Merit Badge while introducing them to the principles of design, environmental stewardship, and the creative problem-solving skills that define the profession while supporting their communities in meaningful ways.
School Communities
Throughout the year, Career Discovery hosts school groups to supplement their STEM classes with design-centered discussion groups and hands-on activities. Visits include a tour of National ASLA highlighted by its green roof.
Unrivaled Expertise
Landscape architect Richard Jones, ASLA, Past President of Mahan Rykiel Associates, led partnership with the Frances Scott Key Middle School in Baltimore, Maryland, to enrich the school’s STEM-focused environmental education curriculum with the Birdland Project.
Professional Development for K-12 Teachers
Click the headers below to see how ASLA is introducing landscape architecture to K-12 teachers and preparing them to incorporate design-centered learning into their classrooms.
Why walk to your next conference session when you can take a slide?
During ASLA’s Design Academy for K-12 Educators, site visits to parks and playgrounds allowed participants to swap typical walking transitions for playful, energizing breaks (like at Franklin Park in downtown Washington, DC), reminding us that inspiration sometimes starts with a little momentum.
Site visits included:
- City Center Plaza - Rodrigo Abela, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP BD+C
- Franklin Park - David Rubin, FASLA, PLA, FAAR
- Georgetown Day School Playground - Nathan Schleicher
- Howard University - Marc Massay, Glenn LaRue Smith, FASLA, and Derreck Niec-Williams, ASLA
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library Modernization Green Roof Project - Sara Downing, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP BD+C
- Smithsonian Institution Gardens - Matthew Sellers, ASLA
View the full photo/video gallery from the 2025 summer workshop.
I walked away from this workshop with a greater appreciation and understanding of the environmental design process and the inherently collaborative nature of landscape architecture. Switching roles from teacher to student for the week gave me valuable perspectives and fueled my own curiosities. I am very grateful for the opportunity to further my own education through this workshop, and to connect with wonderful educators and landscape architects from across the country.
Workshop Participant Amber Rudeen
Before attending, I knew very little about the field of landscape architecture, but my curiosity was met with inspiration and insight. We had the opportunity to hear directly from landscape architects and visit their projects throughout D.C. What I might have once admired in passing was brought to life through their explanations, giving new meaning and appreciation to the spaces around us.
I highly recommend participating in one of ASLA’s future learning experiences. The team’s dedication (shout out to Lisa) and passion for their work were evident, and they inspired us to bring that same enthusiasm to our students when talking about all the domains related to landscape architecture.
Workshop Participant Emma Wolf
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