Sustainable Thinking for Everyday Life Summer 2026

Starting with the 3Rs+U (reduce, reuse, recycle and upcycle) notion, this bootcamp introduces students to sustainable thinking concepts and everyday life practices. Students learn through various activities that include presentations, storytelling and round table discussions, allowing them to practice ideas that help improve their habits and immediate surroundings for an enhanced overall quality of life.

Students explore the holistic sustainable process and its correlation and interrelated implications in their communities. Reflecting on the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), students will participate in design games and perception tests on sustainable thinking principles and then connect these principles with architectural learning. After understanding the SDGs, students will apply their learning by producing small architectural models and posters. Through a pinup and a jury simulation, students present and debate the effectiveness of their projects in solving long-term built environment problems. Join us this summer for an immersive architectural bootcamp focused on sustainable development.

Learning Outcomes

• Acquaint students with sustainability-related terminologies.
• Introduce the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Identify daily sustainable practices for young adults.
• Promote the enhancement of the quality of life through urban planning and home design.
• Develop critical thinking skills.
• Enhance problem-solving skills.
• Acquire sketching, designing and model-making capabilities.
• Encourage debate and persuasion competencies.
• Develop verbal and visual presentation proficiencies.

Duration and Location

• August 2-6, 2026
• Sessions will run daily from 9 am to 3 pm
• AUC New Cairo campus
• Fridays and Saturdays off
• Official Holidays are compensated for with extra hours

Fees

• EGP 4,400 (price including materials needed)
• The following discounts are offered:
  • 10% discount for siblings
  • 10% discount for AUC faculty and staff
  • 15% discount for AUC alumni

Who Can Apply?

Students aged 13-18 years

Certification

All the boot camp participants will receive a certificate of participation from The American University in Cairo.

Transportation 

The AUC Bus Service is available for an extra fee. Details on the schedule will be shared before the program's start date.

Accommodation 

Accommodation is offered at the University Residences in case needed. 

About the Instructor

Heba Safey Eldeen

Heba Safey Eldeen is a professor of architecture and design at The American University in Cairo and Misr International University. She is the former director of the Architecture and Children Work program at the International Union of Architects and director of the House of Egyptian Architecture of the Ministry of Culture’s Cultural Development Fund. Among other activities, she organizes workshops, campaigns, training courses and awards for schools, institutions and individuals who help children and youth learn about the built environment, architecture, design, history, heritage and sustainability. Eldeen is passionate about developing the next generation of architects.

Refund Policy

A 100% refund of the program fees will be granted if the request is submitted at least two weeks before the course start date, or if the request is due to one of the following reasons:

• Course cancellation
• Medical withdrawal
• Visa denial

A 75% refund will be granted if the request is submitted within the last two weeks before the course start date.

No refund will be issued if the request is submitted after the end of the last working day (4 pm) and before classes begin, including the weekend prior to the course start date, or after the course has begun.