When teens thrive, democracy does too.

The Co:Lab is lab for civic innovation.

We design experiences, weave relationships, and co-create environments that help young people develop their potential and thrive as individuals and in community. 

Because a stronger future starts with how teens grow and learn today.

who we are

We exist to design and spread experiential civics.

Experiential civics is teen-centered, community-connected learning in history, arts, and the humanities.

It engages, inspires and enables young people to become curious
learners and contributors to our shared future.

This humanity-oriented approach—leveraging wisdom of the past,
and the science and technologies of today—advances wellbeing, deeper engagement, and civic thriving for all.

what we do

We work with partners to ensure ALL young people grow up ready for civic engagement.

Our work sits at the intersection of learning science, history, adolescent development, and systems change, delivered through four core services:

Thought Leadership

Shaping the national and global conversation on civic innovation and teen thriving through publications, keynotes, and public events.

Product Design

Developing curriculum, games, media products, and training tools that activate belonging, purpose, and agency.

Strategic Advising

Partnering with schools, museums, foundations, and civic institutions to align strategy, shift practice, and embed the science of adolescent civic thriving.

Convening + Weaving

Bringing leaders together across silos to spark collaboration, build ecosystems, and accelerate scale.

We work across classrooms, museums, libraries, neighborhoods, and digital spaces—the environments where teens become who they are—to ensure that civic thriving is built into the experience of adolescence

our special sauce

The Co:Lab was born from a 2024 merger of two pioneering organizations:

History Co:Lab
Founded to strengthen democracy by transforming history education.

iThrive Games
A research and design studio specializing
in learning for adolescent thriving.

Together, we combine deep roots in history, adolescent development, and networks across fields and silos with a bold vision for the future.

We believe this humanity-oriented approach to learning will advance wellbeing, deeper engagement and civic thriving for all.

With our design-arm iThrive Games, we harness the power of play and participatory design to advance learning that promotes belonging, curiosity, and rich emotional and academic growth.

Our logo reflects this connectivity: a tree with roots and networks, symbolizing growth, connection, and civic thriving.Experiential civics is
teen-centered, community-connected learning in history, arts, and the humanities. We focus on giving young people opportunities to be curious and active learners who can and will contribute to our common purpose.

Because we trust young people, and we trust what the science tells us.

why it works

We start with what theresearch shows.

We build with young people, not for them.

+ Shaped by experts in adolescent development 

+ Designed with teens every step of the way

We ground our work in real communities, with partners who know what it takes.

+ Backed by institutions that know how to scale and sustain change

+ Embedded in real places 

schools

museums

archieves

neighborhoods

online communities

What makes our work different:

That’s not a theory.
It's what we see every day.

When young people feel seen, supported, and trusted, they contribute and lead with purpose.

join the movement

Civic thriving starts with people like you.

Whether you're 17 or 70, there's a role to play.

  • I'm a Young Person

    Join our teen co-designer network.
    Help shape the tools and environments that support teen thriving.
    Be heard.
    Get paid.

  • I'm an Educator

    Access curriculum, professional development training, and tools that actually work.

    Join a growing community that centers teen voice.

  • I'm a Partner

    Invest in bold, evidence-backed work.

    Collaborate with us to innovate and scale teen-centered civics learning.

We want to see
all of us thrive.

impact

We are already changing the game.

  • U.S. History curriculum co-created with teens and XQ

  • “100 Docs Game” with the National Archives for America250

  • Civic Thriving Network launched from national convening

  • Humanities Toolkit active in over 20 communities

  • Teen-led game labs and

  • Teen-led game labs

  • Teen-led civic podcasts, UnTextbooked

  • National primer: The Teen Civic Thriving Framework

We believe democracy relies on all young people thriving.

In a recent article co-written with our research partner Dr. Pamela Cantor, we explain the Science of Experiential Civics, and why it must be a priority in school redesign.

Our Impact

We work towards systems-change, and measuring that is hard. With allies across hundreds of institutions, we are now working with researchers to create accurate measures of network impact. In the meantime, we are proud of:

500+ Museums

Are engaged in our civic learning communities of practice.

>95% Engaged

The participants of our institutes and learning experiences report highest levels of engagement.

>95k Listeners

Listeners in over 90 countries have tuned in to listen to UnTextbooked.

Co-Creation Partners

Entrepreneurial Partners

Institutional + Museum Partners

Corporate Collaborators

Foundational + Organizational Partners