Discovery Center Take Action Summer Youth Workshops

Editor's note: This article was sponsored by the Gates Foundation Discovery Center.

At the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center, we believe youth play an active role in solving today and tomorrow’s toughest challenges — and we’re excited to share resources and present programs that highlight how young change makers are shaping their local and global communities, now and in the future. Our programs include a spring Teen Action Fair, Take Action Summer Workshops and our Youth Ambassador Program.

High school summer 2022 workshops:

• Take Action on Global Goals (virtual)
  • Monday–Thursday, July 11–14 | 10 a.m.–noon
  • Students entering grades 9–12
  • Virtual workshop capacity: 25
• Take Action on Global Goals (in person)
  • Monday–Thursday, July 11–14 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
  • Students entering grades 9–12
  • In-person workshop capacity: 15

Explore the world and learn to take action on global goals! In this workshop, high school students learn more about local, regional and global social issues that inform the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Take a deep dive into the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and engage with change makers working locally and globally to create positive change. The workshop will end with an optional in-person field trip

• Virtual: How Does the World Feed Itself?
  • Monday–Thursday, July 18–21 | 10 a.m.–noon
  • Students entering grades 9–12
  • Virtual workshop capacity: 25

Everyone needs nutritious food, but not everyone has equal access to it. In this workshop, we’ll explore how social and economic power structures play a role in our food system. We’ll discover foods from around the world as well as critically examine global and U.S. food systems. Attendees will hear firsthand from local speakers working on food justice and apply their learning from the week to a garden design project. The workshop will end with an optional in-person field trip.

• Virtual: Fighting Disease Around the World
  • Tuesday–Thursday, July 26–28 | 10 a.m.–noon
  • Students entering grades 9–12
  • Virtual workshop capacity: 25

Join us for a workshop focused on global health exploration! During this workshop, a different disease will be introduced each day, and attendees will consider strategies for fighting them, discuss equity issues and explore incredible innovations. Each day we will learn from global health experts, including Gates Foundation staff and partners. This summer workshop is excellent for students considering a career in health care or science. The workshop will end with an optional in-person field trip.

Middle school summer 2022 workshop:

• Using Design Thinking to Reinvent the Toilet (in person)
  • Tuesday–Thursday, July 19–21 | 9 a.m.– 3 p.m.
  • Students entering grades 7–8
  • In-person workshop capacity: 15

Everybody poops! While it may seem odd to talk about it, sanitation is a serious global issue. This in-person workshop will use the topic of global sanitation and toilets to explore the design thinking process and how these innovative ideas are being used to “reinvent the toilet.” Join us for some toilet talk as we explore global solutions. The workshop will end with an optional in-person field trip. Learn more and register here. 

Youth Ambassador Program (YAP)

YAP is a yearlong program for high school-age students who care deeply about fostering inclusion and belonging, want to raise awareness about local and global issues, and create youth-focused programs and exhibits to inspire positive social change. Youth Ambassadors spearhead community outreach efforts, organize the Teen Action Fair, co-facilitate the Take Action Summer Workshops, and develop leadership, empathy and collaboration skills along the way.

Applications for the 2022–2023 YAP cohort will open in summer 2022. Sign up for the Discovery Center e-news to receive program updates.

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