Causes: Arts & Culture, Education, Engineering, Environment, Environmental Education, Primary & Elementary Schools, Technology, Visual Arts

Mission: People are born to learn. Learning is as much a journey as it is a treasure. To learn is to be alive and the purpose of life is to live a life with purpose. NEXT. cc is an eco web that develops ethical imagination and environmental stewardship. NEXT. cc introduces what design is, what design does, and why design is important. It offers activities across nine connected scales – nano, pattern, object, space, architecture, neighborhood, urban, region, and world. NEXT. cc’s journeys introduce activities online, in the classroom, in the community and globally. NEXT. cc journeys and activities are supported with links to museums, institutions and contemporary practices. The eco web network of journeys provides a solid foundation for newly established NAAEE North American Association of Environmental Education standards with place based design activities that address the five goals of environmental education: Awareness, Knowledge, Attitudes and Environmental Ethic, Citizen Action Skills, and Citizen Action Experiences. NEXT. cc is based on Wisconsin Art and Design Standards and Common Core State Standards. Now set to NEXT Generation Science Standards for K-2,3-5 and 6-8, NEXT. cc delivers NGSS Cross Cutting Concepts through transdisciplinary activities. NEXT. cc plans to reach young people, their teachers and their families with meaningful learning experiences that create positive influence on lives and outcomes. NURTURE creativity PROMOTE stewardship of the environment INSPIRE wonder of the built and natural world CONNECT an eco-web community ENABLE teachers as collaborators empowering youth-led projects CRITIQUE and impact consumption PROPOSE humanitarian solutions to social problems ADVOCATE conscientious alternative living strategiesNEXT. cc (the cc stands for curiosity and compassion) blurs learning with work, play and fun casting a wide net to engage imagination. Participants move fluidly between researching and modeling on the computer to being active investigators and makers in their communities. Learning to think critically, act compassionately and work creatively, NEXT. cc participants topically research ideas, learn new languages and skills, discover relationships and propose improvements to local conditions.

Results: NEXT. cc is a collaborative effort by principals, teachers, architects, artists and college art, art education, design and architecture students (MIT, Harvard, NYIT, CCAC, Parsons, SAIC, UWM) . Founded as an educational non-profit in 2007, NEXT. cc staff and advisory boards research and create trans disciplinary journeys that engage local ideas with global practices. The neuroscience of learning tells us that early years are formative years in connecting to place. Participants move from the computer into the community and learn about themselves, their neighbors, and their friends as they engage history and culture of place and explore sustainable design possibilities. NEXT. cc delivers eco literacy and digital fluency expanding STEM teaching to 21st century STEAM (Science, Technology, Environment, Engineering, Art and Math). Working to reach at risk student populations and underserved teachers, NEXT. cc connects multi generational expertise in delivering best practices and cutting edge research to young imaginations through everyday technology on cell phones, IPADs, laptops and computers. The K12 years are formidable in that they are a very short time in which to instill the desire to learn and the need to know to find one's place in the world to contribute. The iterative, experimental, explorative nature of design needs to be part of every young person's schooling to allow for failure, reflection, evaluation and rethinking. NEXT. cc is an outstanding example of a social network that locally and globally introduces and supports systemic change in teaching and learning. Recognized as a National Environmental Education Green STEM Innovator (2012), for outstanding Media Education in the Built Environment by the Union of International Architects (2011), Wisconsin Arts Board Creative Communities (2010), United States Green Building Council Excellence in Green Building Education (2009) and a Design Education Innovator, National Endowment for the Arts (2007), NEXT. cc is charging education and students to connect to their informal interests through self selected exploration of the world. NEXT. cc workshops have reached over 5500 teachers and 25,000 students and its eLearning act, explore and relate activities are being accessed in 50 states and over 150 countries. The current Connected Ed site has over 250 journeys, 1500 activities and 10000 links supporting classroom activities and is free to users 24/7 365 days a year!

Target demographics: green imaginations with the wonder and possibilities of contributing to a betterrelationships between people and the natural and built world.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 2500+ students and over 500 teachers

Geographic areas served: virtually in 50 US States and over 150 countries

Programs: student workshops; teacher professional development; school inservices; creativity curriculum consultation; place based project learning specific to school communities.