How It Works
The Project Pathway
Our Futures Forum is a twenty-lesson learning experience for communities of high school learners. The project has been successful in high school ELA and Environmental Science classes, though it is adaptable to any subject as well as after-school programs.
1. Explore
Students explore five future themes that will be impacted by climate change.
Food
Students explore how climate change will impact their local food system, exploring challenges in food access, distribution, and nutritional value.
Water
Shelter
Students explore challenges in access to safe, affordable, and sustainable shelter as well as the environmental impacts of different types of construction.
Transportation
Students learn about the impact of carbon emissions in their neighborhoods and explore challenges in their public transportation systems.
Health
Students explore the impact of climate change on health in their community, including physical and mental wellbeing.
2. RESEARCH
Students use hands-on research to explore one of the five future themes in more depth.
Field Notes
Students take photos and record observations in their neighborhoods about challenges related to their future theme.
Community Interviews
Contrasting Cases
Students research how a challenge related to their future theme has been addressed in other places. They will consider how these existing approaches may inspire innovations in their community.
3. CREATE
Students create a documentary from the year 2075 showing how their challenge has been solved.
Storyboard &
Script writing
Student draft plans to create a vision for their neighborhood in the year 2075.
Visual Design
Media Making
Using beginner-friendly media tools, students create informational films to communicate their visions for climate-resilient futures.
4. SHARE
Receive Peer
Feedback
Build Community
Through virtual Our Futures Forum events, students can connect with young people from across the country invested in climate justice.
