Additional Opportunities for Students
There are several opportunities for ACE DC students who want to continue their exploration of the A-E-C industry outside of the main ACE DC program! Some of these opportunities may have a cost associated with the program. Scholarships to cover these costs are available. Please see below for more information.
ACE DC Additional Opportunities
Tools of the Trade: Team Workshop Series DAC
Miscellaneous Dates
The District Architecture Center is excited to extend Tools of the Trade into a four-part workshop series. Open to teens in middle and high school, our mission is to introduce students to architecture in a progressive series that builds upon skills. Exposure to the growing field of architecture at this age can expand a teen's horizons to an exciting profession.
Each workshop includes a theme, a local field trip, and focuses on a specific skill -- such as sketching, photography, digital design, and model-making -- and ends in a presentation for family members.
DC NOMA Project Pipeline
August 3 - 7, 2026
Project Pipeline is a week-long camp hosted by the DC chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. Every year, they partner with the National Building Museum to design a curriculum that introduces middle school and high school students to the field of architecture and design. The camp integrates many forms of exposure including firm tours, showroom visits, presentations from working professionals, and hands-on exercises to get a holistic overview of the architecture profession.
There is a registration fee associated with this that may be able to be covered by ACE DC. (See below).
Design in Action
Miscellaneous Dates
Design in Action offers DCPS high school students in 11th and 12th grades the opportunity to learn from professionals in top architecture firms. Students shadow architects during their spring break, on construction site visits, in design and client meetings, and more. Students also have the opportunity to work on their own design project.
ACE DC Externships
Miscellaneous Dates
ACE DC Mentor Program proudly offers summer workplace experiences to high school students who have completed at least one year of the traditional ACE Mentor Program. An externship is a summer experience designed to expose students to the building industry. Similar to an internship, students will work hand in hand with employees at the company. These opportunities are paid - typically $20-25/hour. The externship is 80 hours and the schedule may vary. Typically it is over 2 weeks (40 hours/week) or 4 weeks (20 hours/week). They usually start in July, but can sometimes be late June or early August depending on the company.
Externships have already been finalized for Summer 2026, but check back Spring 2027 for Summer 2027 externships!
Scholarships for Additional Opportunities
Active ACE DC students interested in attending one of the opportunities listed above (or other programs you found on your own!) may be eligible for financial assistance. If you apply to and are accepted to an opportunity, email washingtondc@acementor.org with the name of the program, a confirmation of enrollment/acceptance into the program, and a 200 word response to why you would like to attend that program. Funds are awarded based on merit on a first come first serve basis, so students are encouraged to reach out early.