A Democracy Design Workshop - Camp for Middle Schoolers!
The GIANT Room and Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL) at Columbia University are partnering to bring a one of a kind camp experience to middle schoolers (ages 11-14) the week of July 14, 2025!
During this experience, students will be co-designers and architects, collaborating in teams to imagine the school of the future. Through guided, creative problem-solving and design thinking activities, student teams will put democracy into action as they step into the roles of leaders and changemakers. Students will leave with concrete visions for the School of 2045 and new skills in communication, listening, and decision-making across lines of difference. Participation is free thanks to funding from Carnegie Corporation of New York, however, spots are limited to 35 participants, so be sure to secure your spot!
In order to participate, applicants must commit to attending all of the following sessions and activities:
Monday, June 23, 2025 5-6 pm (Virtual Orientation)
9 am-10 am: Institute Kickoff and Prototyping Challenge
Monday, July 14th - Thursday, July 17th (in person at Columbia Law School)
9 am-10:30 am: Warm up and Design Challenge #1
10:30 am-10:50 am: Snack break (**snacks provided) and time outside, weather permitting
10:50 am-12 pm: Creative brainstorming, problem identification, and creating
12 pm-12:30 pm: Lunch break (**lunch provided) and time outside, weather permitting
1 pm-2:30 pm: Warm up and Design Challenge #2
Thursday, July 24th 5-6 pm (Virtual Closing Session)
5-6 pm: Brainstorm how to promote student ideas on the future of schools to spur change
The GIANT Room believes the most engaging and effective learning experiences are the ones that are designed with children’s point of view in mind, and even better, those that are designed with children and their families involved in the design process. “As part of our mission, we thrive to amplify children’s voices and bring their ideas into the design process of products that are being designed for them,” Dr. Jamalian, The GIANT Room’s CEO explains, “this will benefit children who participate in these sessions, by engaging in design thinking, teamworking, and building prototypes with designers in the field, and also children who will use these products once in the market.”
CPRL's mission is to revitalize public education while reinventing professional education. We envision a world with expanded access to high-quality education for all students — particularly those of color and from low-income households.
Where: Columbia University
When: Monday, June 23, 2025 5-6 pm, Monday, July 14, 2025 - Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 9 am-2:30 pm, and Thursday, July 24, 5-6 pm
Who: Middle school students, ages 11-14