Our Approach
We don't replace your work—we power it. Built on 30 years of classroom expertise, our approach strengthens systems and co-creates solutions that turn existing goals into powerful student-led impact.
OUR FOCUS
Authentic civic engagement for young people
We center youth as essential stakeholders, empowering them to drive community change through their lived experience and research
A systemic change, not a new program
Youth voice should not be an add-on. Our team has expertise in helping you deepen your existing programs and curricula, rather than introducing a separate program.
Proven adaptation refined by real educators
Our approach was created and refined through direct partnership with educators, ensuring our tools work in real learning environments and meet the practical needs of teachers.
True co-creation over consultation
We co-design flexible, systems-level solutions with districts and organizations to transform existing programs into powerful engines for student agency and civic engagement.
Book a short Visioning Chat to learn more about how we can help your district or school achieve success!
OUR EXPERTISE
We are building the field of Environmental Applied Civics
Moving from awareness to action.
Earth Force created Environmental Applied Civics (EAC), an approach that centers youth-adult partnerships in which young people identify a local environmental issue and engage with their community to ask for lasting systemic change. A central element of EAC is a commitment to prepare youth, especially those from historically marginalized communities, to engage in local environmental decision-making now and in the future.
Rooted in best practices
EAC draws from principles of project-based learning, inquiry-based learning, civic education, and place-based education to enable deep learning.
Aligned with standards
EAC aligns with Next Generation Science Standards and the College, Career, and Civic Life Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
EAC IN ACTION
In an EAC-integrated learning space, young people become investigators, researchers, analysts, decision-makers, and planners— collaborating with community members, agencies, and nonprofits. Based on research, we emphasize three essential experiences. If these are present, the outcomes for young people will be stronger.
THREE ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCES
Youth select an issue that is rooted in their lived experience
Young people have the authority to select an issue that reflects their personal lived experience, interests, and passions while also addressing a community need.
Youth co-create their learning environment
Young people work in partnership with stakeholders, engaging in democratic debate and decision-making, sharing responsibility, task management, and reflection.
Youth engage with power structures to ask for change
Youth advocate for systemic policy or practice changes, informed by their selected issue, to decision-makers and law makers in their community.
VOICES FROM EAC
Collaborative Success: What partners and young people say about co-creating systemic change.
“The most important thing I learned during this project was the ability to identify the problem in our community and find a way to solve it.”
-Student Participant
“My favorite part is seeing the transition from adult leading to students taking control of the project. I love seeing them organize, plan and collaborate for the presentation.”
-Educator Participant
“So grateful to discover a cohort of educators implementing the EAC process across the US. Educators are more effective when we band together to create change.”
-Leader Participant
Collaborate with us!
Partner with Earth Force to bring real world learning to the next level. We empower districts and organizations to enact deep change through dynamic and impactful learning integration.
JOIN OUR MISSION
