Today’s teens will be inheriting a number of major societal issues, including: racism, gender inequality, poverty, bullying, higher education costs, and food insecurity. In addition to these global issues, students are facing problems that are germane to their own schools and communities. We cannot expect the next generation to address societal issues if they are exposed to the same hyper-partisanship and divisiveness that plague our current society. And when the traditional educational system is hampered by inequitable funding, overworked staff, extracurricular program cuts, a focus on standardized testing (and not to mention the practical limitations by COVID-19), students struggle to gain the resources, tools and skills that will allow them to engage in the process of making their world a better place.
How do we change course from entrenched partisanship to a culture of cooperation and empathy to create a positive, highly functional future society? A mediator and political scientist think they have the solution. Motivated by their shared passion for creating a positive change in the world and empowering others to rise as leaders, Matthew DeSantis and Kelly Nagle founded Teen Think Tank Project to provide the next generation of leaders, change makers, and advocates with the academic, emotional, and practical skills needed to not only understand today’s societal issues, but correct them. We're asking for your support to further our vision of giving a future generation of change agents a voice in the world they will inherit.
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Who We Are
Teen Think Tank Project is a student-run policy institute that fosters critical thinking, research techniques, and problem-solving skills to develop policy frameworks for real-life issues and empowers students to become future changemakers.
Our program enrolls students using merit-based, competitive criteria. Students are provided with leadership training to help them develop effective communication and critical thinking skills. We give them access to the resource materials that are needed to effectively research, develop, and present a public policy framework that will serve to not only provide a suggested blueprint for possible change, but also inspire experts and thought leaders to reimagine how they can utilize perspectives of the next generation of changemakers to play a role in solving today’s problems.
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The Founders
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How We Work
We enroll high achieving high school students, team them with a research coordinator, call them all “colleagues” and treat them like professionals. We give them access to thought leaders, advocates, activists, and industry experts to learn about social justice issues that are currently plaguing society, examining the progress (or lack therefore) that these individuals have made in attempting to correct these societal issues, and walk students through social policy research, formation, and publication.
By fostering a learning environment that focuses on inclusion and diversity, our students are able to tackle societal issues in a safe environment. We offer twelve weeks of learning modules through a virtual, in-person or hybrid learning environment that guide students through a social justice education curriculum that promotes equity, empathy and diversity, while enabling them to develop actual policy frameworks aimed at solving problems that affect their communities. Students are provided with the curriculum, materials, instructors, and experts necessary to develop more effective communication, leadership, and problem solving skills.
The Impact
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Besides looking to how they can make an impact on society, our students are also looking towards their next steps into college. Teen Think Tank Project's rigorous and innovative curriculum helps students stand out from their peers in their ability to lead, think critically and work in diverse environments. These are qualities universities are seeking in applicants.
How You Can Make an Impact
We're raising money to execute research cohorts through April 2022 and continue to grow the Teen Think Tank Project . This encompasses summer and fall 2021 sessions and winter 2022 cohorts, as well as additional social justice education programming.
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Any contribution is appreciated and supports our social justice education initiatives and equips our students to become the future change makers we need!
Risks & Challenges
One of our values is creating a safe and diverse learning environment. As we continue to grow our program and spread the word, we are mindful of being as inclusive and diverse as possible. We are working to build relationships with school districts (public, private and charter) to ensure diversity of background, perspectives, race, socio-economic status, etc. We realize that there are many exceptional and socially conscious teens who would excel in our program but lack the financial means to do so. As such, we are dedicated to providing funding and scholarships to all accepted students. Your contributions help us to do this.
Building and marketing a business is no easy task. With the combined business and fundraising backgrounds of the founders we are building a realistic and sustainable business model. Additionally, initial support from industry leaders, activists, advocates and established business leaders has been overwhelming. These amazing individuals have contributed their time and talents to our research cohort and our podcast, Here's the Problem.
Other Ways You Can Help
You may love our mission but aren't able contribute, at the moment. That doesn't mean they can't help. Follow us on social media @teen_thinktank and join our mailing list on our website to stay up to date. Spread the word about our program and mission to your network. You never know who may be able to contribute or who would be interested in enrolling! Use Indiegogo share tools!
