How can a postcard be used to communicate what makes a community special? How can a paper and plastic bag be used to investigate cultural attitudes toward the use of natural resources?

The answers to these and many other questions important to educators are contained in the new book, Why Design? Activities and Projects from the National Building Museum written by Anna Slafer and Kevin Cahill. The book contains more than 50 fun, hands-on activities that show educators how to use everyday objects and systems -- from houses to waste disposal systems -- to teach history, geography, current events, government, art, and science.

Why Design? is inspired by work done in the Museum's DesignWise program which provided junior and senior high school students with hands-on experiences to increase their awareness of the designed world, their ability to design, and the skills they need to become active participants in shaping their communities. The purpose is to demonstrate that design is something we all do -- that is as natural as walking or talking -- and that the designed environment is the result of a series of choices made by designers and consumers.

There is a wide-range of activities offered from research to writing, from team-building to conflict resolution, and design technical skills such as model-making, surveying, interviewing drawing, and videotaping. Topics include: biodiversity, civil engineering, land use planning, communication, symbolism, to name a few. These ready-to-use-lessons and easy-to-photocopy worksheets are targeted to grades 7-12 and adaptable for K-6.

Activities can be stand alone or be combined into a unit. They are interdisciplinary, address students' diverse learning styles, and can be used thematically. A glossary and bibliography are included.