The Experiment Digital

The Experiment Digital Leadership in STEM retains The Experiment’s longstanding model of experiential learning and emphasis on forming meaningful relationships and moves it into the virtual space. Using popular digital platforms for teens like Canvas, Padlet, Flipgrid, and Zoom, our virtual program model gives young people the opportunity to build international friendships online. Peer-to-peer engagement, combined with carefully designed activities, allows students to learn from one another and develop knowledge and attitudes that foster cultural understanding.

Virtual exchanges diversify the learning experience through accessible digital means, enabling an increasing number of young people to enjoy a meaningful intercultural experience as part of their education. 

Experiential Learning Online

• Learning with The Experiment Digital Leadership in STEM is challenging and fun. Participants learn how to facilitate digital discussions, lead online dialogues via video chat, and formulate and implement service projects in their local communities. Activities center around bringing students together to navigate scenarios that test their abilities and reflect on lessons learned through collaborative dialogue. Students practice collaborative problem solving, intercultural communication, and digital etiquette—all of which are important in our increasingly globalized world.

Safe and Intimate Small Group Spaces

• The participant to expert facilitator ratio is 5:1. This allows for small group conversations with authentic engagement. Students share their hopes, fears, and discuss important topics such as gender norms and stereotypes.

Program for Youth Led by Youth

• Our facilitators are program alumni with experience in cultural exchanges. Community Facilitators manage “Neighborhoods” and were selected because of their experience working with youth and facilitating intercultural exchanges. They undergo an intensive month-long training for online facilitation. Peer Mentors, alumni of our previous digital programs, offer another layer of support to participants.

Robust Curriculum to Prepare Future Digital Citizens

• Through interactions with international peers, students practice collaborative problem solving, intercultural communication, and digital etiquette—all of which are important in our increasingly globalized world.

Module 1: Know Yourself & Your Purpose

• In this opening module, participants will introduce themselves to each other. To set the norms for online communications and ensure a productive space for the exchange, participants will discuss phrases and emojis that are polite and impolite to use in their cultures. They will also identify their purpose and create a mission statement that uses their passions to help their community.

Module 2: Know the Job Market & Professional Workplace

• In this module, we will introduce participants to the science (including medicine/health), technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and explore the soft skills critical to these fields. Participants will use virtual career tours and research on various social enterprise businesses, non-profit organizations, and technology start-ups to explore the different business models used to address issues. The workshop explores how to create action plans that combine personal and professional goals. To aid their planning, participants will engage in a panel discussion on how to combine their passion for social good with STEM to create a meaningful career.

Module 3: Know Your Education Options & Career Plan

• The third and final module of the program focuses on how to attain necessary skills through higher education, study abroad, and online learning opportunities. To apply what they have learned, participants will put together a STEM Project Plan, which combines their personal and professional goals to make a creative action plan that addresses a local issue using their passion for STEM. The module 3 workshop will focus on how to create Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based (SMART) goals to outline the steps they need to take to gain the skills needed to implement projects and eventually for their desired profession.

• Watch a video to learn how to analyze the root causes of an issue happening in your community (5 minutes).
• Share your perspective on why homelessness is happening in your city and respond to what your peers have shared (15 minutes).
• Post a photo of your favorite store in your city (5 minutes).
• Discuss with your “neighborhood” (a group of 20–25) three of the best items to keep on a sinking boat in order to survive (1 hour).
• Ask a community activist questions about implementing better street cleaning solutions during a live webinar. (1 hour)
• Video chat with your “family” (a small group of 5) and your facilitator on the intersection between gender and peacebuilding. (1 hour)

You are eligible to apply if you:

• Are between the ages of 14–19 years old
• Are currently enrolled in or have not yet completed high school
• Reside in the United States or the MENA region, including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Palestinian Territories, and Yemen
• Have basic English language competency
• Have regular access to the Internet*
• Can devote 2- 4 hours each week to the program

*Internet support may be available upon request.

What do I get from completing the program?

• By participating in The Experiment Digital, you will receive a Certificate of Completion in leadership and global issues analysis, access to the U.S. Department of State’s International Exchange Alumni network, unique project funding opportunities, and a $400 scholarship toward participation in one of The Experiment’s programs around the world.

How do I become a digital facilitator?

• Visit our Become a Digital Facilitator page to learn more.

When does The Experiment Digital take place?

• Programs take place for 6 weeks and will require 2–4 hours of time each week. Most of the work is asynchronous; however, there will be an optional 1-hour synchronous call each week.

How do you select your students?

• During our application review, we look for participants who: (1) Demonstrate a commitment to the program and its goals; (2) Are passionate about developing their leadership and intercultural communication skills; (3) Have an open-minded attitude and are willing to learn from others; (4) Have a strong desire to create social change in their communities; (5) Have not had extensive travel experience.