A project-based program where Grades 6-8 students master storytelling, debate, pitching, and advocacy - building the confidence to speak up and lead change, guided by Harvard student mentors.
Every week builds on the last - from finding your voice to leading real change
Find your voice through the Hook-Heart-Hope framework - craft personal stories that make people lean in
Build convincing arguments using Because+Proof, spot weak reasoning, and learn to see every side
Deliver confident 60-second pitches, design visual campaigns, and sell your ideas with clarity
Use Canva to design advocacy posters, social media campaigns, and visual storytelling projects
Choose a cause you care about and build a real campaign that inspires action in your community
From storytelling to advocacy - 6 weeks of building your voice
Hook Roulette: rapid storytelling with random prompts
Learn the Hook-Heart-Hope framework through video analysis
Story Workshop: draft and refine a personal story with mentor coaching
Record your story and get peer feedback
Recorded personal story using Hook-Heart-Hope
Guiding authentic storytelling and vocal delivery techniques
Would You Rather: fun opinion debates with structured arguments
Learn the Because+Proof argument framework
Ad Detectives: spot tricks in real advertisements
Build a Cause Convincer Card for a cause you care about
Cause Convincer Card with Because+Proof argument
Teaching structured argumentation and empathy for opposing views
60-second pitch challenge with live feedback
Canva workshop: design an advocacy poster or social campaign
Pitch-and-Improve carousel with peer coaching
Create a visual pitch deck for your cause
60-second cause pitch + Canva advocacy design
Coaching concise delivery and visual communication
Project Blueprint workshop: define your audience, message, and medium
Elevator pitch practice with mentor feedback
Commitment ceremony: sign your project contract
Begin building your passion project
Project Blueprint + polished elevator pitch
Helping students narrow focus and commit to an actionable plan
Focused build time on passion projects
Peer feedback rounds: stars and wishes
Rehearse Demo Day presentation
Polish and refine with mentor guidance
Working first draft of project + peer feedback notes
Technical guidance, troubleshooting, and presentation coaching
Final rehearsals and last-minute refinements
Live Demo Day presentations via Zoom
Audience Q&A and judge feedback
Awards ceremony and celebration
Final presentation + complete communication portfolio
Final preparation, confidence building, and celebration
Recorded personal story using Hook-Heart-Hope framework
Cause Convincer Card with structured argument
60-second pitch + Canva advocacy design
Passion Project Blueprint + elevator pitch
Complete communication portfolio with all deliverables
Online Demo Day presentation to judges and audience