Maya Temple Building Workshops
Architecture Workshops
Quick Overview - This school group workshop themed around Mayan temples offers a fun way for students to explore these incredible ancient structures in a very experiential way. Using simple materials like dowels and rubber bands, students will discover how triangulation makes structures strong and stable. They will work together to build a model of a Mayan temple developing teamwork, problem solving, and construction skills. It is a lively and engaging way to bring the Maya to life while learning about their architecture and culture.This school group workshop themed around Mayan temples offers a fun way for students to explore these incredible ancient structures in a very experiential way. Using simple materials students will discover how triangulation makes structures strong and stable. They will work together to build a model of a Mayan temple developing teamwork, problem solving, and construction skills. It is a lively and engaging way to bring the Maya to life while learning about their architecture and culture.
The workshop connects the practical challenge of building with the Maya civilisation pupils are studying. As they create a temple up to 4.5 metres high, they can consider the design and construction of Maya monumental architecture and investigate the maths and engineering principles that help a structure stay stable.
Current special offers for school groups
Early Bird Booking For January & February 2027
25% off bookings made by the end of the autumn term for January & February 2027. Travel cost may apply
valid until: December 2026
Where we travel to
We can visit your school in: East Midlands, West Midlands, London & South East, East of England, South West, North East, North West, Yorkshire, Wales
What activities are available during this school workshop?
Pupils follow instructions to make fourteen large (2x2m) sections which are assembled to build the temple. Each section is made up of a braced square base with bi-pods holding up a smaller diagonally braced square. Each side appears as a braced trapeziums, giving pupils a practical way to explore triangulation and structural strength. They'll need to communicate, solve problems and adapt as the structure takes shape.The workshop gives pupils an engaging, practical connection to their Maya topic, bringing architecture, engineering and classroom learning together.
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Ancient Civilisations
Maya Civilisation
Because we use nothing more than dowel and rubber bands in all of our unique workshops the importance of triangulation in making all other two dimensional shapes strong is key in all the structures we build. In the Mayan Temple a 3 or 4 tier structure is built standing 4.5 meters high. Each side is made up of a series of braced trapeziums.
Design Technology
>Maths
>PSHE
>Engineering
What size groups do we cater for?
2 x 120 minute workshops with 45 LKS2 pupils
3 x 90 minutes workshops with 30 UKS2 pupils
3 x 90 minutes workshops with 30 UKS2 pupils
Groups with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)
Behaviour & flexibility
Individual needs discussed before visitFlexible activity pace
Exit and re-entry permitted
Flexible scheduling
Staff support
Risk assessment availablePre-visit planning available
Staff experienced with SEND groups
Learning & communication
EAL-friendly resourcesSmall group sessions available
SEND-friendly workshops
We are happy to work with SEN pupils who are part of a class, however if the percentage is greater than 25% we may have to adjust the total number accordingly. Likewise we can run workshops at specialist schools with smaller numbers.
All specialist schools are charged at our primary rate whatever the age range.
We have run numerous days at specialist schools with disabled pupils.
Teacher Checklist
Get Risk Assessments
£10m PL Insurance
Anything else?
My son, Erno, ran out of his classroom today exclaiming 'best day ever'. Thank you so much for what sounds like an inspiring buiding session in Elstree. His eyes were glistening and he is still buzzing! Thank you very much.
Who are Architecture Workshops?
Our workshops tap into the innate desire that children have to be creative, construct and make things which is why they love our workshop experiences.
"the best day at school"; "best workshop ever" are typical pupil responses to our activities.
Architecture Workshops have been running fun and engaging workshops for all key stages and abilities since 1996, providing catalytic support for teachers, covering many aspects of the national curriculum through cross-curricular hands on learning.
The genius of the workshops is the simple materials we use, promoting all aspects of STEM in every activity. Using gross and fine motor skills, creativity, problem solving and teamwork, the workshops promote higher order thinking, growth mindset and resilience, raising self esteem in participants and leaving them with an experience that will stay with them throughout their educational life
Workshops need to take place in the school dining hall, gym or sports hall. All the structure are dismantled as part of the workshop experience.
Every enquiry gives you a chance to win trips and workshops for your school - We are giving away a free trip for every week of the Autumn term!
Architecture Workshops
How science, maths and art skills can be developed through team work, problem solving and imagination
