Futurescaping with Nevadans
Bringing the Portrait
to Communities
Futurescaping with Nevadans is a key part of the Portrait of a Nevadan Learner, a vision focused on equipping students with the skills and mindset they need to thrive in a fast-changing world. This project goes beyond individual success—it’s about empowering communities to grow together by reimagining how learning shapes the future for everyone. By bringing young people and their allies into the conversation as visionaries, we’re building a future centered on creativity, resilience, and collaboration.
This project asks: What kind of world do we want for our youth, our communities, and future generations? We explore that future and lay the groundwork for it, preparing learners for a more inclusive and dynamic tomorrow. With insights, ideas, and visions from young people, educators, and community leaders across Nevada, this project is not just about shaping bold ideas—it’s about building a roadmap to a future where every young person has the tools to thrive, and where our collective vision becomes the foundation for lasting change.
.jpg)
WHO WE VISIONED WITH
The project began with our youth advisors (bios can be viewed below), who played a central role in designing a visioning and storytelling process that would capture the diverse experiences and priorities of young people across Nevada. This was then transformed into workshops facilitated across the state, bringing together a wide range of groups to ensure the process was both inclusive and expansive. We collaborated with Nevada Partners, Communities in Schools, Nevada Black Deaf Advocates, and educators from the Washoe County School District.
Participants in the workshops—including young people, adults, educators, members of the deaf and hard of hearing community, unhoused youth leaders, and community leaders—shared powerful insights into how learning intersects with community, identity, and belonging.
In each workshop, we fostered deep conversations between young people and adults, bridged gaps between diverse communities, and created a space where every voice could help shape visions for the future.
WHAT WE LEARNED
The project's process revealed a powerful truth: people are eager to create their own visions for the future. Across Nevada, there was a shared desire for spaces where individuals could imagine not just their own possibilities, but those for their communities and the world. A key takeaway was the need for intergenerational conversations—young people and adults alike expressed how transformative it was to share experiences and co-create a vision for the future with other generations.
We also learned about the deep loneliness many young people face, feeling disconnected from each other, their identities, and their histories. This isolation creates barriers to hope, making it harder to dream about the future. Both youth and adults called for new traditions and spaces that honor the past while embracing the future. We also heard from young people an urgent desire to be at the center of decision-making, especially in education, seeking hands-on, relevant learning experiences. Above all, participants—especially young people—emphasized the need for their basic physical and mental needs to be met in order to thrive, learn, and shape the futures they deserve.
What the future needs...
The key themes of the visions created by workshop participants center around human connection, personalized learning, and community-driven growth. Participants imagine a future where emotional and intellectual development are nurtured together, in a way that’s balanced and sustainable. A core aspect of this future is the creation of "safe spaces" where young people can dream, fail, reflect, and grow—supported by encouragement that allows them to explore their potential. Rather than being held back by technology or rigid systems, this future thrives on diverse experiences that spark curiosity, creativity, and resilience, empowering individuals to take risks and learn without the fear of failure.
Another commonality amongst visions was a grounding in equity and inclusivity, where everyone, regardless of background, has equal access to learning and self-expression. Participants dreamed of future communities built on transparency, accountability, and active participation, with young people taking the lead in decision-making and bringing fresh perspectives. Differences are seen as strengths, creating deeper, more meaningful connections across generations. Education is viewed as fluid and adaptable, designed to meet the unique needs, passions, and strengths of each learner, ensuring a more personalized and holistic approach to growth.
"We need accessibility in education and learning. I dream of a future where everyone can fully and completely participate in the conversations that shape the world; where we move at a pace of reflection and understanding."
- Adult Workshop Participant,
Las Vegas
"Classrooms that are comfortable, accommodating spaces where students complete curriculums aligned to their career aspirations - where students can be themselves, follow their passions and curiosities."
- Youth Workshop Participant,
Las Vegas
"This process made me think about a future that doesn’t rely on technology- but instead relies on people."
- Youth Workshop Participant,
Las Vegas
"To us, education justice means availability, safe learning, quality, fair pay, access to food, access to technology."
- Youth Workshop Participant,
Las Vegas
"In a future world, then we don't even need [someone] to amplify the voice of youth because I will already be viewed as a human being who has value."
- Youth Workshop Participant,
Las Vegas
"I dream of a classroom not fixed to a 4-corner room. Where the world's environment seeps seamlessly into the classroom space."
- Adult Workshop Participant, Washoe County
"When I think of community in the future, I think about how we hold each other accountable and how we grow to be bold, creative, and end cycles. Where we celebrate differences as strengths and build greater connection through art and storytelling."
- Adult Workshop Participant, Las Vegas
"I think open-mindedness has to be a part of that education of our young people in the future."
- Adult Workshop Participant,
Las Vegas
"Learning as kinship... when I think about what the future of learning needs it is kinship, care, safety and also purpose."
- Adult Workshop Participant, Washoe County
"In the future, we dream that learning includes spaces to think and process, to share and discuss. Spaces where young people can experience - do, make, reflect, fail and try again. Where they can explore new things - see what they like - sports, foods, travel, jobs, field trips, etc. Where there are regular “therapy” discussions. Where we dismantle loneliness and get back to community rituals, celebrations, festivals, and funerals. Where we always, always make space for processing ideas. "
- - Youth Workshop Participant, Las Vegas
Meet our youth advisors
We partnered with an exceptional group of youth advisors, inventors, visionaries, and creators to co-design this project, harnessing their ideas and innovative insights. Together, we developed a powerful process and resources that facilitated communities to imagine and shape bold, transformative futures.
Maliylah Silva
My name is Maliylah Silva, an 18-year-old wheelchair-bound student from Henderson, Nevada. I recently graduated from Silverado High School and am now pursuing a degree in psychology and pre-med at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Driven by a passion for helping others, I aspire to become a psychiatrist—a calling that began in my childhood when my grandmother connected our family with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This led me to work with ed.Xtraordinary to promote disability awareness. Outside of academics, I teach adaptive painting at the DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center, a gym dedicated to individuals with disabilities.
Glenda Ayala
I am Glenda Ayala, a sophomore in college. I am committed to improving diversity and representation in the healthcare field, particularly addressing health disparities within Hispanic communities. As a Nevada learner, I am driven to pursue opportunities that support the future and reimagine learning spaces. Through my involvement in the community, I am enhancing key traits such as leadership, teamwork, empathy, awareness, perseverance, ethical behavior, and effective communication.
Parker Somers
My name is Parker Somers, and I am a proud male dancer and artist. I define myself as a kind, caring empath who strives to stay true to my values. I’m drawn to people who defy society’s standards and don’t care what others think—and I aspire to be one of them. My friends see me as loyal, my peers think I don’t fit in, and my enemies tease me for it. My family views me as someone who questions everything—from human nature to people's motives. While others see my love for music and dance, I also have an unending desire to make the world a better place.
Angeline Lopez
I’m Angeline Lopez, but you can call me Angie. As an upcoming senior at Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy, I’m enrolled in the Criminal Justice program and aspire to become both a criminal defense lawyer and a real estate agent. I am also a part of the X.Collective Team under Teach For America, advocating for youth and educational reform. My passion for social change began when I witnessed the struggles Hispanics and Latinos face in the criminal justice system. Outside of school, I volunteer at the Springs Preserve, run in the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, and enjoy music, reading, baking, and crafts.
Our Project Playbook
This guide was the foundation of how we visioned with communities across the state, designed for facilitators, educators, community leaders, and young people eager to shape the future. We hope it inspires you to explore, adapt, and experiment with these activities in your own spaces, whether working with youth, colleagues, or neighbors.
Project Offerings
Imagination Card Deck
This card deck is made to help you get real—whether you're diving into who you are, dreaming about the future, or figuring out how to make a difference. Packed with thought-provoking questions and inspiring art, it’s a fun, creative way to explore big ideas, connect across generations, and have a blast while you’re at it!
Time Travel Journal
Create, experiment, tear it up, restart, and journey through time. This time travel journal is your space to jump into different futures, explore who you are, and uncover the unique experiences and talents that make you, you. It’s all about getting deep into your identity and figuring out how your story can help the whole community grow and thrive.