Activity description:

“Article from the Future” is a creative exercise designed to help participants explore and envision the future of their city or community using the format of a newspaper article.

The primary goal is to integrate the Arts into STEAM to develop participants’ imagination and critical thinking skills while emphasizing the importance of evidence-based decision-making and creative storytelling. This activity aims to enhance participants’ understanding of how STEAM principles can be applied to address local challenges and envision inclusive, sustainable futures.

This activity encourages participants to envision their community or neighborhood five years into the future and articulate that vision through a creative newspaper article. The exercise promotes critical thinking, imagination, and collaboration while providing insights into participants’ aspirations for their community. Through structured steps, participants will express their ideas about the future and collectively analyze their visions.

Preparation:

Time: 10-15 minutes (before the session)

  1. Print enough newspaper article templates for each participant
  2. Prepare supporting questions for guidance (either as a handout or displayed on a board):
    • What does your article say about the neighborhood?
    • What kinds of pictures or visuals accompany it?
    • Who are the people mentioned in the article, and what do they say?
    • What sensory details (smells, sounds, sights) are described?
    • What is the overall tone or impression of the article?

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Introducing the Activity

Time: 5 minutes

Explain the purpose of the activity:

  • Begin by telling participants that they will imagine their community or neighborhood five years from now and describe it in a newspaper article format
  • Highlight how they should incorporate STEAM principles into their vision (e.g., scientific advancements, technological improvements, artistic and cultural elements, infrastructural changes, measurable progress)

Present the guiding questions:

  • What changes have occurred in the neighborhood?
  • How have science and technology improved lives?
  • What infrastructure projects have been completed?
  • What artistic and cultural activities have been developed?
  • What measurable improvements have been made (e.g., reduced pollution, increased green spaces)?
  • What sensory elements—smells, sounds, sights—describe this future?

Distribute the newspaper templates:

  • Ensure each participant has a template that includes spaces for a headline, sub-headline, main text, visuals, captions, and quotes

Step 2: Individual Article Creation

Time: 30-45 minutes

Set the scene for the activity:

  • Ask participants to close their eyes for a moment and imagine walking through their neighborhood five years from now
  • What do they see, hear, smell, or feel? Who is there, and what are people doing?
  • Encourage them to think of changes inspired by science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics

Work on the templates:

  • Participants write their article, filling in each section of the template:
    • Headline and Sub-headline: Capture the most exciting or transformative aspect of the vision
    • Main Text: Describe the changes and innovations in detail, integrating STEAM elements
    • Visuals: Sketch or describe images that would accompany the article
    • Quotes and Captions: Imagine quotes from people in this future and write captions for the visuals

Provide support and guidance:

  • Circulate around the room to answer questions and clarify instructions
  • Encourage participants to include specific STEAM-related ideas
  • Offer prompts like “How does technology play a role in your vision?” or “What measurable progress would people notice in this future?”

Step 3: Sharing the Articles

Time: 20-30 minutes

Display the articles:

  • Once participants finish, have them display their completed templates on walls or boards
  • Create a gallery-style setup where everyone can easily view all articles

Present their visions:

  • One by one, ask participants to briefly present their articles
  • Encourage them to share:
    • The main ideas behind their vision
    • Key STEAM elements they integrated
    • Why this future is meaningful to them

Facilitate questions and engagement:

  • Allow others to ask questions about the articles, focusing on STEAM aspects or practical feasibility

Step 4: Reviewing and Voting

Time: 15-20 minutes

Explain the voting process:

  • Each participant receives three stickers or dots to use as votes
  • They can distribute these votes across multiple articles that they feel best represent a future they’d like to live in

Vote for the articles:

  • Participants walk around the gallery, carefully reviewing each article
  • Encourage them to consider the integration of STEAM principles when casting their votes

Analyze the results:

  • Once voting is complete, take a moment to identify the most popular visions

Step 5: Discussing the Results

Time: 15 minutes

Facilitate a group discussion:

  • What stood out in the articles with the most votes?
  • What common themes or ideas emerged across multiple articles?
  • Which STEAM-related innovations or concepts seemed most inspiring or practical?

Reflect on the value of STEAM integration:

  • Guide the conversation to emphasize how interdisciplinary thinking can lead to innovative solutions

Link the activity to real-world action:

  • Discuss how the ideas generated could inspire actual projects or initiatives in their community or school

Duration:

The duration of this workshop can be adjusted based on the depth and complexity you wish to explore. For a more focused session, allocate at least 30–45 minutes.

Requirements for space:

Any setting works as long as participants have enough space to form small groups, share ideas, and produce their final articles. Indoor settings may offer a comfortable, distraction-free environment for writing, while outdoor locations might spark creativity and innovation.

This is a highly adaptable activity that can yield meaningful results in a variety of contexts.

For whom?

This activity is adaptable for all age groups. For younger learners, you can simplify the context and language, while older or more advanced participants may benefit from richer, more challenging scenarios.

Working with individuals who have a personal connection to the community often leads to greater engagement, though mixed groups can also provide valuable diversity in perspectives.

List of Material needed:

Newspaper article templates: A worksheet or template with spaces for:

  • Headline
  • Sub-headline
  • Main text
  • Pictures (participants can draw or describe them)
  • Quotes and captions
  • Markers, colored pens, and stickers for voting

Optional:

  • Wall space to display completed articles
  • Printouts with supporting questions for guidance

Sure, here’s the continuation:

Practical aspects and Barriers to be aware of:

Language and Literacy Challenges:

  • Participants may struggle with language or writing skills
  • Alternative: Provide clear, simple instructions with visual aids and allow oral storytelling or group collaboration to support inclusivity

Engagement and Focus:

  • Long or abstract activities may lose participants’ interest
  • Alternative: Use multimedia for inspiration, break tasks into smaller phases, and include interactive elements like group discussions or games

Understanding and Integration of STEAM Concepts:

  • Participants may not fully grasp how STEAM principles relate to their visions, leading to superficial or vague ideas
  • Alternative: Start the activity with a brief, engaging explanation of STEAM, using relatable examples. Provide guiding questions that connect STEAM concepts to everyday life

Group Dynamics and Inclusiveness:

  • Encourage a welcoming and respectful environment by establishing ground rules, such as active listening and valuing all ideas
  • Be mindful of group composition:
  • Mix participants with diverse skill levels to promote peer learning
  • If possible, group participants from different backgrounds to foster diverse perspectives

Context Sensitivity:

  • Ensure the activity relates to participants’ lived experiences
  • If participants come from underserved communities, focus on practical, achievable changes
  • Highlight real-world examples of STEAM solutions that have transformed similar communities

Extra practical tips for engaging lessons:

Incorporate Multimedia for Inspiration:

Before starting the activity, show a short video or slideshow of futuristic designs, technological innovations, or community success stories. This visual and auditory stimulus can spark participants’ imagination.

Gamify the Voting Process:

Add a layer of excitement by turning the voting stage into a “community awards” event:

  • Announce categories such as “Most Innovative Vision,” “Most Realistic Future,” or “Best Use of STEAM Elements”
  • After voting, award small prizes or certificates for these categories

Encourage Collaboration Through Peer Feedback:

Before the final presentations, organize a quick peer-review session:

  • Pair participants to share and discuss their articles with a partner
  • Encourage constructive feedback focusing on STEAM principles
  • This interaction builds confidence and makes final presentations more polished

Relationship to SENSE.STEAM:

The activity fosters STEAM inquiry and encourages interdisciplinary thinking:

Integration of STEAM Disciplines:

  • Participants use scientific reasoning to address environmental and technological challenges
  • Apply engineering to urban planning
  • Incorporate arts and culture to envision vibrant communities

Breaking Silos:

By combining creativity and analytical thinking, the activity demonstrates how STEAM inquiry approaches real-world issues holistically.

Nine Capacities of Imaginative Learning:

  • Deep Observation and Questioning: Participants explore their communities’ potential
  • Storytelling and Meaning Creation: Connect STEAM concepts to lived experiences
  • Empathy and Action: Envisioning inclusive futures encourages reflection and action

Alternative Knowledge Routes:

  • Artistic Inquiry: Storytelling and cultural reflection highlight creativity as knowledge
  • Sensory and Emotional Engagement: Provides holistic understanding beyond data
  • Collaboration and Inclusion: Makes knowledge creation participatory
  • Community-Centered Context: Solutions are anchored in participant realities

Possible Variations:

1. Focus on a Specific STEAM Field:

  • Science: Envision breakthroughs in environmental sustainability
  • Technology: Imagine AI, smart cities, or robotics applications
  • Engineering: Focus on eco-friendly infrastructure
  • Arts: Highlight public art and cultural initiatives
  • Mathematics: Include measurable community improvement goals

2. Stakeholder-Specific Adaptation:

  • Young Participants: Use simpler templates, focus on imaginative scenarios
  • Policy Makers: Include action plans and practical considerations
  • Educators: Focus on educational innovations and STEAM labs

3. Add a Prototyping Phase:

After articles, create physical or digital prototypes using simple materials

Alignment with Manifesto:

  • Inclusive STEAM Education: Encourages diverse collaboration
  • Creativity and Curiosity: Inspires innovative thinking
  • Real-World Applications: Connects STEAM to community solutions
  • Collaboration Across Fields: Promotes interdisciplinary thinking