Resources and Publications
There is an urgent need for a fundamental narrative shift around the purpose of education.
Schools are critical to preparing young people to live into their full humanity, which requires a focus on democracy, relationships and human thriving. Together with our partners, we pursue a multifaceted approach to collecting data and sharing stories of practices that support young people’s thriving and the transformation of learning systems.
Report
Teen-Centered Civics for Human Thriving
October 2025
A new blueprint for learning and human flourishing
This is a primer for the next frontier of civics: a community-connected, science-backed, teen-centered, future-oriented approach to learning in support of democracy. We are a civic innovation lab and network drawing on roots in adolescent brain science, real world practice, knowledge of history and a deep belief that our shared future depends on the thriving of young people today.
The Science of Experiential
Civics
September 2025
Written by Pamela Cantor MD, Fernande Raine and Susan Rivers
Young people are wired for civics learning that connects them to their communities, builds their agency, and leverages relationships.
This article explores:
• Understanding Teen Development
• The Power of Community-Connected Learning
• The Role of State Boards
read the full article
Article
Article
Patriotism Done Right: We Can’t Lecture Teens Into Loving Our Country
April 2025
Written by Fernande Raine and Susan Rivers
How can we restore young people’s trust in American institutions?
Even though our schools still largely are designed for “sit and get,” research has proved that adolescents are not geared to be passive recipients of information. Their brains are wired for inquiry, exploration, and for challenging systems of injustice…
Report
Building Belonging
May 2024
Re-Imagining Migration with the History Co:Lab
This report is written as an urgent call to action to focus the attention of school administrators and educators on building belonging for all students in a time of demographic change.
Report
Educating for Our Common Purpose
April 2024
History Co:Lab with World Savvy, EuroClio and Rockefeller Brothers Fund
This report from a global convening on democracy education calls for a series of collaborative initiatives to center youth voice, change mindsets and create a new pedagogy and infrastructure of learning for the renewal of democracy.
read the full report
Report
Ecosystems for the Future of Learning
October 2023
Ed Reimagined and the History Co:Lab with Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
A review of how to embrace a systemic approach to advancing learner-centered education in integrated ecosystems.
Product
Award-winning Teen-led Podcast: Untextbooked
November 2020 Launch
History Co:Lab’s UnTextbooked is a podcast co-founded, produced, and hosted by young people to revolutionize history learning with intergenerational exchange and student-led storytelling.
Teens team up with distinguished historians, curators, and journalists to explore challenging topics together and co-create meaningful and memorable learning experiences that become podcast episodes.
UnTextbooked has more than 90,000 downloads across 100 countries and was nominated for an Ambie Award, the highest honor in podcasting, for Best History Podcast category.
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