Eco-Media is a set of hybrid learning opportunities for students everywhere to explore and produce meaningful media for the critical and compassionate exchange of ideas.
The programs and publications blend the studies and application of deep ecology, social cohesion, civil discourse, well-being, and critical media literacy to engage students in unpacking a complex technological landscape while creating media for a healthier, happier, and more sustainable world.
Schools, educators and students can customize experiences with our Inspire Citizens’ team around launching Eco-Media programs, co-designing learning experiences, embedding humane media and technology literacies into practices and school communities, and empowering learners to design purposeful publications for local and global digital exhibitions and our own Inspire Citizens archives.
Contact Ivy Yan: ivy@twobirds.education for any Eco-Media inquiries
In this Op-Doc Smile, the young director facilitates open thinking about how many people can be a supportive community in dealing with struggles related to mental health. UN SDG 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you are not alone. There are many support services and treatment options that may help.
Read MoreIn this video Alan L, Henry Z and Charles T went a local baozi shop, and listened as the owner shares her story, including some of the challenges she faces as a small business owner.
The open conversations centered on the family connection involved with owning a small business, as well as the hardships that come along with it...including very early working hours and a traffic accident with a local bus.
Read MoreAs the pace of life In the city speeds up, human communication becomes superficial and tenuous. In speaking with these community members, unheard stories are explored instead of being on the surface.
The highly developed student camera work & visual storytelling highlights those stories and arouses people’s empathy. In this piece, Into the Kou students go into their community to learn more about Z Exquis Cafe owner, (Jill) Ziyu Shen. Here is her story.
Read MoreThis film was made by Tala K, Kibeom K, Nicholas B, and Laura F, 4 small film makers in Shenzhen, China attending Shekou International School. The purpose of this film is to spread knowledge and culture to the world. The area visited in the film was one of many open fish and meat markets here in Shenzhen, Shekou. This film was made with hopes to open your eyes to how some people have to work to survive in China.
Read MoreAs a part of the MADDFest 2021 Photo!Bomb experience, Rachel shares her growing understanding of how photography can change the way you see and perceive the world and its perspectives. She walks us through some of her campus photos in Beijing, and her thinking around nature, architecture, and other photography genres. Finally, she shares her reflections on becoming an artist and deeper thinker on the complex world around us.
Read MoreBelle, Diana, Michelle, and Victor of Tsinghua University High School International use original animation and the power of music to tackle difficult questions around what we have made of our lives through our relationships to technology and social media.
Inspired by the Center for Humane Technology's Ledger of Harms, our Futures Media artists and storytellers present their own vision in advocating for a more humane approach to the perils of social media and its more invisible harms to society.
Read More"While there are variety of ways that humans can harm ecosystems around the world, poaching in particular threatens a number of species — even those that may be protected in national parks or wildlife reservations. Today, poaching is usually done for profit, with the animal parts sold to black and illegal markets. The result is that many animals have been attacked and their numbers are critically depleted." https://www.iapf.org/
Read MoreGuided by their understanding of sustainable systems thinking, unpacking UN SDGs and Targets, and practicing civic literacy and discourse, 5th graders Lucy and Abbie illuminate deep thinking skills on how to work towards relevant action in concert with local communities: Governments, businesses and community members in working together to build a healthier, more sustainable future.
One clear piece of evidence of deeper learning is in Lucy’s level of comfort in teaching out to the audience.
Read MoreInspire Citizens' Student Leader Lucy applies a root cause and needs analysis to reflect on her complex feelings during her time in Chicago during the global pandemic. Using a Root Cause Tree, she is able to identify and articulate symptoms, root causes, and shed light upon potential informed solutions related to her feelings and understandings around having to shelter-in-place during the pandemic.
This video has been used globally by diverse educators and learners to support systems thinking, creative problem solving, and global citizenship.
Read MoreInspire Citizens’ Co-director Steve reflects on how, as educators and in photography, we are constantly examining our practice, our own teaching and learning is always in flux. Some things become brighter in our eyes, some things more dim. We are always in a state of becoming.
This video was used as a mentor example of how a growing photographer, artist, and global citizen might reflect on the Photo!Bomb, middle school, month-long workshop series. 45 students participated in this inaugural, transformative learning experience as part of MADDFest 2021 at Western Academy Beijing.
Read MoreWith the instant satisfaction brought by numerical representations of ourselves through scores, body figure, wealth, and so on, we tend to focus too much on the journey of pursuing numerical status. When this becomes extreme, it can cause anxiety, physiological and psychological illness, even direct wrongdoings.
But numbers do NOT represent who we are as sentimental human beings!
Read MoreEthan K & his Grade 8/9 media team from Concordia International School Shanghai used their time at the Global Youth Media 2019 Conference in Seoul, South Korea to explore the new trends in the hip area of Sinchon.
The highly developed student camera work & visual storytelling highlights a vibrant young social scene along with a deep appreciation for the interconnections between a past and future Seoul.
Read MoreFollowing a full day of classroom visits and songwriting around social justice, peace, and environmental action, Balinese musician Gede Robi shares his music and inspiration in the Future’s Public Radio classroom studio.
Read MoreIn Green is Gold, Ryan, Ishaan and Justin explored the history and role of batteries in exploring whether economic growth and environmentalism can co-exist.
All students were challenged to focus on one issue relating to renewable energy or electric vehicles and to produce a three minute video showcasing different perspectives.
The three artist-scientists got creative with a fun and legitimate rap collaboration as a creative solution to helping listeners better understand the nuances of batteries and the future of renewable energy.
Read MoreFollowing her inquiry into the history of global systems of racism and injustices related to power dynamics, Mmala shares her expressive and metaphorical response to the crisis.
Read MoreAs part of the global voices poetry unit, Alicia asks “Can poetry help us better understand the lives of those in more challenging circumstances than ourselves?”
Here, after spending time researching climate refugees in Chad, she performs her poem "Heaven” in the FPR classroom studio.
Read MoreFutures Media’s Lucy S gets absurd with the infamous James Kennedy, author of the Order of Odd Fish and curator of the 90 Second Newbery Film Festival. James puts Lucy’s creativity to the test in this back and forth interview while challenging students everywhere to submit films, engage in laughing, and have fun in school while loving learning and literature.
Read MoreSince 2007, Khali and the Downtown Boxing Gym has been teaching kids in Detroit’s toughest neighborhoods valuable life lessons - inside and outside the classroom and the boxing ring. In her first global interview, FPR's Christina, now Futures Media’s Student Director, shares a rich conversation with him on his life and the power of boxing and books to help children rise above challenging situations in Detroit.
Read MoreBrooklyn singing and electronic duo Overcoats take a time out from touring to answer some questions from FPR’s newest journalist Judy P, who later became co-president of the media lab. Overcoats finish with a stunning a cappella version of their hit “Kai's Song”.
Read MoreFutures Public Radio journalists Eva N and Lyndob B were honored to sit with UN Goodwill Ambassador, Kim Phuc Phan Thi. For the past 20 years, Kim Phuc has traveled the world telling her story of hope borne out of despair. Her passion for peaceful resolutions to conflict in our world is inspiring. Kim Phuc is the girl who was captured in a famous 1972 photograph that brought the world's attention to the horrors of the war in Vietnam.
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