A movement of millions of students imagining and building futures.
Who
Emmy® winning producers, experts in STEAM education, futurists, and a team just crazy-smart enough to make learning this fun!
What
How do we help children meet the future?
By giving them opportunities to practice shaping it.
By giving them opportunities to practice shaping it.
Where
In-school, out-of-school, summer camps, at home, everywhere kids are -- and it's FREE!
When
Sign-Up now!
Future Thing Challenge Season 3 starts September 2026 - Finale April 2027
Future Thing Challenge Season 3 starts September 2026 - Finale April 2027
Super Bowl of imagination.
Challenges
Surprises
Events
Training
Be part of it.
This is big!
Celebrate moments that matter.
Staff
Students
School Sites
Frequently asked questions
What is Future Thing®?
Think the TV show Chopped meets College Game Day. Fun competition with frenzied action!
Future Thing is a team-based experience where students imagine and build solutions for real-world challenges. Working in teams, students work with a mystery box of materials and a surprise prompt. They then have a limited amount of time to collaborate, create, and present their ideas.
Future Thing includes curriculum, training and the SmarterWorld Café. This is our third season of Future Thing Challenge, the first two were wildly successful and we're very excited to bring you Season 3.
In 2026-2027 (Season 3) Future Thing® is available nationwide.
Future Thing is a team-based experience where students imagine and build solutions for real-world challenges. Working in teams, students work with a mystery box of materials and a surprise prompt. They then have a limited amount of time to collaborate, create, and present their ideas.
More than a competition, Future Thing is an opportunity for young people to practice the skills that matter most in a rapidly changing world: Creativity, Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Communication, and Adaptability. Students learn that they do not need to have all the answers. They simply need the confidence to explore possibilities, work with others, and turn ideas into action.
The goal is to help students discover that they have the opportunity to shape what comes next.
Future Thing includes curriculum, training and the SmarterWorld Café. This is our third season of Future Thing Challenge, the first two were wildly successful and we're very excited to bring you Season 3.
In 2026-2027 (Season 3) Future Thing® is available nationwide.
How do I sign-up?
Easy!! Above these FAQs you'll see "Get Access." Just complete the form--a few basic questions--then hit submit and that's it. You'll get a confirmation from us and access to the Future Thing project materials and curriculum. If you have any questions please contact us at (email) amy@giftcalifornia.org or (text) 831-250-5500.
How does this work?
Future Thing is designed for every student!
At the beginning of the season (around September, once signed-up) students participate in practice challenges where they learn the Future Thing process, work with teammates, and experience the excitement of turning ideas into action. No prior experience is required. Your students can opt-in and join Future Thing at anytime. Note, the later in the school year (season) you opt-in the less time you'll have to practice.
Throughout the season, teams participate in a series of Future Thing challenges. During each challenge, students work with a mystery box, a real-world challenge prompts (there is a surprise prompt too), and materials. Working together, they have a limited amount of time to imagine, design and build, and then present their idea.
Teams can earn points throughout the season for creativity, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. Top teams, selected by local educators, advance through local and regional rounds culminating in the Future Thing Championship—a celebration of imagination, innovation, and possibility.
The championship event brings together finalist teams from participating schools and communities to compete in live challenges, share their ideas, and showcase their creations. More than a competition, the championship is a celebration of young people who are learning to imagine and build possible futures.
Future Thing is not about finding the right answer. It is about developing the confidence to explore the unknown, work with others, and create what comes next.
Are supplies or materials needed?
Future Thing Standard Kit:
Every school site educator, parent, receives a materials list and a How-To Guide.
Parents, teachers, school / after-school sites collect the materials. Most of these materials are easily found, readily available at school, in classrooms or at home (and offices).
Core Materials
Every site will likely have:
Cardboard
Paper
Paper cups
String/yarn
Popsicle sticks
Tape
Rubber bands
Markers
Scissors
Aluminum foil
Plastic containers
Bonus Materials
Optional:
Pipe cleaners
Craft sticks
Balloons
Clothespins
Bottle caps
Egg cartons
Straws
"Wild Card" Materials Collected locally:
Recyclables
Boxes
Packaging
Natural materials
Now Comes the Twist
The Mystery Box isn't really about the box or the materials.
The 'secret sauce' of Future Thing are the prompts.
In Future Thing the prompts matter more than the materials or the box.
Teachers, staff and/or parents print the prompts (or show them on-screen).
The Future Thing How-To Guide makes implementing the project super easy and fun.
For the materials we recommend:
Each site creates a Future Thing supplies bin
One large tub, box or table
All teams draw from the same materials pool.
Then the surprise prompt is revealed.
This dramatically simplifies operations at the school site or at home.
Every school site educator, parent, receives a materials list and a How-To Guide.
Parents, teachers, school / after-school sites collect the materials. Most of these materials are easily found, readily available at school, in classrooms or at home (and offices).
Core Materials
Every site will likely have:
Cardboard
Paper
Paper cups
String/yarn
Popsicle sticks
Tape
Rubber bands
Markers
Scissors
Aluminum foil
Plastic containers
Bonus Materials
Optional:
Pipe cleaners
Craft sticks
Balloons
Clothespins
Bottle caps
Egg cartons
Straws
"Wild Card" Materials Collected locally:
Recyclables
Boxes
Packaging
Natural materials
Now Comes the Twist
The Mystery Box isn't really about the box or the materials.
The 'secret sauce' of Future Thing are the prompts.
In Future Thing the prompts matter more than the materials or the box.
Teachers, staff and/or parents print the prompts (or show them on-screen).
The Future Thing How-To Guide makes implementing the project super easy and fun.
For the materials we recommend:
Each site creates a Future Thing supplies bin
One large tub, box or table
All teams draw from the same materials pool.
Then the surprise prompt is revealed.
This dramatically simplifies operations at the school site or at home.
What training is included?
There are FREE trainings available to you. Future Thing is pretty easy to understand so only minimal training is needed. That said, trainings are provided virtually (live and on-demand) as part of our training academy called "Futures Studio", as well as in-person sessions scheduled by school sites.
What age or grade is this designed for?
Elementary, Middle School and High students. Although we do not go by "grades" per se, we prefer "Levels" which provides for an entry point into the challenge based on the students skills rather than age or grade. Future Thing Challenge has been designed to match the learning level of students from Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School and High School.
How long does the Challenge take to implement?
Future Thing Challenge can take as little as a few days or can be implemented over a period of weeks or months. The time the project takes depends on how much time you want to give your students to practice. The date for The Future Thing Challenge finale is in April, 2027.
Practice Challenges and Scoring
Future Thing Starter Challenge
Every team can run introductory challenge(s), you can practice as many challenges as you wish. The prompts for practice challenges are included in the curriculum. "Scoring and Advancement to Finale Event" is determined locally by each teacher or after-school staff or parent, often using local industry "experts" as judges. (See list of Awards in the FAQ).
Here are the steps in the process of Future Thing:
Future Thing
Step 2
Awards (see below)
Every team can run introductory challenge(s), you can practice as many challenges as you wish. The prompts for practice challenges are included in the curriculum. "Scoring and Advancement to Finale Event" is determined locally by each teacher or after-school staff or parent, often using local industry "experts" as judges. (See list of Awards in the FAQ).
Here are the steps in the process of Future Thing:
Future Thing
Step 1
Every participating site receives:
- Facilitator Guide
- Prompts
- Scoring Rubric (provided in the curriculum; see below FAQ for list of Awards/Points)
- Certificates
Step 2
Each site runs:
- 3–5 Future Thing Challenges
- Students practice
- Compete
- Build
- Present
Step 3
At each school site, after-school program or at home school:
Judges, teachers or parents score teams.
Top team(s) advance.
That's it.
No statewide leaderboard.
No complicated point system.
Championship (April 2027)
Finale Event features:
Approximately 10-20 teams
Event takes place in Silicon Valley, CA
One-day event. Big show.
Great prizes.
The Travel Question
Regional events are funded by local agencies and all expenses are paid for by local or regional agencies. National event is funded by national corporate sponsors and all expenses (travel and hotel) are paid for by the sponsors.
Regional events are funded by local agencies and all expenses are paid for by local or regional agencies. National event is funded by national corporate sponsors and all expenses (travel and hotel) are paid for by the sponsors.
Championship location is planned for Silicon Valley, California in April 2027.
Who Pays?
There is no cost to participate in Future Thing regional or national events.
There is no cost to be part of the Future Thing finale event.
There is no cost to be part of the Future Thing finale event.
Local organizations pay, in part via local sponsors or funding grants, for travel related expenses.
National event expenses (hotel and travel) are paid for by national sponsors.
National event expenses (hotel and travel) are paid for by national sponsors.
Awards (see below)
Championship
The Championship feels like the "Super Bowl" celebration of imagination!
Opening ceremony. Team introductions. Live challenge rounds. Student showcases.
Parent and student audience. Music. Emcee. Awards.
Almost like a mini Olympics for future builders!
Teams participate in a finale Challenge with mystery box, prompts and materials provide at the Championship Event.
Industry Experts assign points to each team, awards are given to all teams for demonstration of excellence is a variety of categories (see Awards).
Location of the Championship is planned for Silicon Valley, CA.
Opening ceremony. Team introductions. Live challenge rounds. Student showcases.
Parent and student audience. Music. Emcee. Awards.
Almost like a mini Olympics for future builders!
Teams participate in a finale Challenge with mystery box, prompts and materials provide at the Championship Event.
Industry Experts assign points to each team, awards are given to all teams for demonstration of excellence is a variety of categories (see Awards).
Location of the Championship is planned for Silicon Valley, CA.
Awards
Future Thing California Awards
Industry experts award points and recognitions across multiple dimensions.
🚀 Future Builder Award For the team whose idea demonstrates the greatest potential impact on the future.
💡 Creativity Award For the most original and imaginative solution.
🔧 Inventiveness Award For the cleverest use of materials and resources.
🌟 Uniqueness Award For a solution unlike anything else presented.
❤️ Human Impact Award For the idea most likely to improve people's lives.
🤝 Collaboration Award For outstanding teamwork and communication.
🎤 Storytelling Award For the clearest and most compelling presentation.
🌍 Global Perspective Award For considering diverse people, communities, or cultures.
🔄 Adaptability Award For responding creatively to unexpected constraints or changes.
⚡ Courageous Thinking Award For taking a bold risk or pursuing an unconventional idea.
🎯 Practical Innovation Award For the solution most likely to work in the real world.
🧠 Systems Thinker Award For demonstrating an understanding of how multiple factors connect.
🌱 Sustainable Future Award For considering long-term environmental and social impact.
🔮 Future Vision Award For the team that most effectively imagined what comes next.
Signature award--The Threshold Award
Presented to the team that demonstrated exceptional imagination, courage, and possibility while stepping into the unknown.
Industry experts award points and recognitions across multiple dimensions.
🚀 Future Builder Award For the team whose idea demonstrates the greatest potential impact on the future.
💡 Creativity Award For the most original and imaginative solution.
🔧 Inventiveness Award For the cleverest use of materials and resources.
🌟 Uniqueness Award For a solution unlike anything else presented.
❤️ Human Impact Award For the idea most likely to improve people's lives.
🤝 Collaboration Award For outstanding teamwork and communication.
🎤 Storytelling Award For the clearest and most compelling presentation.
🌍 Global Perspective Award For considering diverse people, communities, or cultures.
🔄 Adaptability Award For responding creatively to unexpected constraints or changes.
⚡ Courageous Thinking Award For taking a bold risk or pursuing an unconventional idea.
🎯 Practical Innovation Award For the solution most likely to work in the real world.
🧠 Systems Thinker Award For demonstrating an understanding of how multiple factors connect.
🌱 Sustainable Future Award For considering long-term environmental and social impact.
🔮 Future Vision Award For the team that most effectively imagined what comes next.
Signature award--The Threshold Award
Presented to the team that demonstrated exceptional imagination, courage, and possibility while stepping into the unknown.
Still thinking about it? Contact us.
Helping Teachers, Parents and Students Prepare for an Exponentially Changing Future
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