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.
We ground our work in real communities, with partners who know what it takes.
What makes our work different:
Shaped by experts in adolescent development
Designed with teens every step of the way
Backed by institutions that know how to scale and sustain change
Embedded in real places
schools
museums
archieves
neighborhoods
online communities
When young people feel seen, supported, and trusted, they contribute and lead with purpose.
That’s not a theory.
It's what we see every day.
Civic thriving starts with people like you.
join the movement
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.
-
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.
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U.S. History Curriculum co-created with teens and XQ
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“100 Docs Game” with the National Archives for America250
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Civic Thriving Network launched from national convening
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Humanities Toolkit active in over 20 communities
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Teen-led game labs
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Teen-led civic podcasts, UnTextbooked
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National primer: The Teen Civic Thriving Framework
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U.S. History curriculum co-created with teens and XQ
-
![]()
“100 Docs Game” with the National Archives for America250
-
![]()
Humanities Toolkit active in over 20 communities
-
![]()
Teen-led civic podcasts, UnTextbooked
-
![]()
Civic Thriving Network launched from national convening
-
![]()
Teen-led game labs
-
![]()
National primer: The Teen Civic Thriving Framework
By 2027, we will:
> Reach 2 million teens through curriculum, media, and partnerships
> Scale civic learning ecosystems in three states
> Launch the first Neuro Civics Hub
> Publish teen-centered tools with national partners
> Reframe the narrative about the value of adolescents to democracy
about us
We are educators, researchers, designers—and teens.
We believe adolescence is not a problem to manage,
they are the most powerful window of possibility.
At the Co:Lab, we build the conditions for young people to feel rooted in who they are, connected to where they come from, and ready to shape the next leap forward.
We are transforming the civic operating system from the teenage brain out.
partnership
With our partners we are able to work innovatively, create cross-silo connections, meet unique needs of communities, spark other projects beyond us.
Our partners include:
Co-Creation Partners
Corporate Collaborators
Enterprenurial Partners
Foundational + Organizational Partners
Institutional + Museum Partners
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.
Co-Creation Partners
Entrepreneurial Partners
Institutional + Museum Partners
Corporate Collaborators
Foundational + Organizational Partners
