rehearse the future

The world has changed.
Knowing the answers isn't enough anymore.

Childhood is changing too. How do we help children see clearly and participate fully in what comes next?

Hello, and welcome to GiFT (Global Institute for Futures Teaching), where children explore ideas, tackle real-world challenges, and discover they have a place in shaping the future.

After more than 35 years working with children, educators, and future-focused learning experiences, one truth became increasingly clear: Children don't need more information. They need orientation.

In a world changing faster than any generation has experienced before, information has never been easier to find. Answers are everywhere. But knowing more isn't the same as knowing what matters.

Children need help making sense of a world filled with possibility, uncertainty, and constant change. They need the perspective, judgment, curiosity, ethical reasoning, and confidence to navigate whatever future emerges.

Mission Zero is where those ideas become practice.

Through hands-on challenges, children rehearse possible futures—imagining what might be, inventing solutions, making difficult decisions, and adapting to surprises.

Along the way, your child will stretch their thinking beyond the classroom—exploring future scenarios, solving conundrums, building brainpower, and discovering what it means to participate thoughtfully and confidently in a changing world.

Want to explore further? Read Threshold—our free guide for raising children in a changing world. 
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Mission Zero gives children a safe place to practice the unexpected.

Mission Zero gives children opportunities to think, decide, and adapt when things don't go according to plan. That requires more than lessons. It requires rehearsal. That's what Mission Zero is designed to do.

Children imagine a future, invent something that could exist there, wrestle with a difficult decision—and just when they think they have it figured out, something changes. 

Children don't memorize the future—they rehearse for it. Here's how this works:

CHOOSE A CHALLENGE
Start with Environment or Health—or choose both. Each Challenge includes three real-world Missions designed to get your child thinking, listening and talking, and creating.

START A MISSION
Everything you need is ready online, with simple guidance to get your child underway. Choose one of the Missions, gather a few everyday materials, and follow the prompts to begin.

LET THEM TAKE IT FROM THERE
Your child imagines, invents, decides, and adapts as the Mission unfolds. You can join the conversation, offer encouragement, or simply give them room to see where their thinking takes them.

One purchase, no subscriptions. We don't believe families should stay enrolled out of habit or obligation. The goal isn't dependence. It's giving children the confidence to meet what comes next.

Anticipation

Each Mission includes a unique downloadable deck of beautifully designed cards that guide your child through a future-focused experience. Each deck includes four types of cards:

Scenarios: Imagine possible futures
Conundrums: Explore challenges with no easy answers
Artifacts: Invent something new
Surprises: Adapt to an unexpected twist

The Reveal — What comes next? Complete each stage of the Mission to earn The Reveal. A new challenge, decision, or surprise is waiting.

Spark

Every Mission begins with an Empathy Spark—a provocative image and question designed to capture your child’s attention, spark curiosity, and draw them into the experience.

Coaching

Your Mission includes access to a parent Tutorial Live Chat (TLC) with Richard. Join an upcoming weekly TLC whenever you're ready to begin.

Live Student Coaching is also available. Your child can join Richard for live online coaching designed to stretch their thinking and take the Mission further.

You'll also have access to the Mission Zero parent community and an invitation to participate in the worldwide Future Thing® Challenge Championships.

Coaching

Live Coaching with futurist educator Richard Tavener. Where wisdom meets curiosity.

Experts

SmarterWorld Café includes interviews with the world's leading thinkers. Great minds who don't think alike!

Community

GiFT Exchange is a vibrant community to share ideas and explore possible futures. This is where your child's network builds.

Field Trips

Virtual Time Machine tour of the world's most innovative companies. Behind-the-scenes of next-generation jobs.

Mission Zero In Action

Educators

Students

Schools

Includes everything your child needs for Mission Zero

Digital Edition

Environment

$90.00
One Purchase. No Subscriptions.
  • Missions included: Emissions, Waste, Traffic
  • Parent Tutorial Live Chat (TLC) 
  • Family Guide
  • Empathy Sparks
  • The Reveal
  • Virtual Field Trips
  • SmarterWorld Café
  • Letter of Recommendation 
  • Access GiFT Exchange Community
  • Invite to Future Thing® challenge
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Live Student Coaching Available

Health

$90.00
One Purchase. No Subscriptions.
  • Missions included: Homelessness, Hunger, Water
  • Parent Tutorial Live Chat (TLC) 
  • Family Guide
  • Empathy Sparks
  • The Reveal
  • Virtual Field Trips
  • SmarterWorld Café
  • Letter of Recommendation 
  • Access GiFT Exchange Community
  • Invite to Future Thing® challenge
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Live Student Coaching Available

Save Total of $70

Get Environment + Health
TAKE A PEEK

A QUICK TOUR INSIDE MISSION ZERO

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START

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FUTURE

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REVEAL

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CONUNDRUM

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ARTIFACT

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SURPRISE

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RESOURCES

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COACHING

WHAT IF...WHY NOT

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Frequently asked questions

What age is Mission Zero designed for?


Mission Zero is designed primarily for children around ages 9–11, but the Missions work well with children slightly younger or older depending on their interests and abilities.

Does my child need a team?

No. Mission Zero works with one child or a small group. When working collaboratively, teams of three are ideal—but one child can explore the entire Mission independently.

Can siblings or friends participate?

The Digital Edition is designed for your household, and your child is welcome to invite a friend or two to join them. A household purchase isn't intended for organized groups, recurring homeschool groups or pods, co-ops, camps, classes, or other programs. Those require an organizational license.

Do parents need to participate?

Not necessarily, but we hope you will. Parents can help get things started, join conversations, ask questions, or simply see where their child's thinking leads.

How long does a Mission take?

Mission Zero is designed to be flexible. A Challenge (usually comes with three Missions) can be explored over several shorter sessions or as a longer experience. There's no need to rush—the conversation and thinking are part of the experience.

Do I need special materials?

No expensive equipment is required. Most Missions use simple materials commonly found around the house. Each Mission reveals what you'll need you progress through each learning unit. All worksheets, Empathy Sparks and other support materials are easily downloadable in the GiFT platform.

Is Mission Zero another online course?

Not really. GiFT provides the guidance and digital resources, but most of Mission Zero happens away from the screen—thinking, talking, imagining, inventing, making decisions, and creating.

What does my child actually do?

Each Mission invites your child to explore a real-world challenge, imagine possible futures, invent solutions, wrestle with difficult questions, and adapt when something unexpected happens. There isn't one predetermined right answer.

What if my child gets stuck or we have questions?

That's okay—getting stuck is sometimes where the best thinking begins. Guidance is included throughout Mission Zero, and optional Tutorial Live Coaching (TLC) gives families opportunities to connect with a live facilitator for additional conversation and support.

Is this a subscription?

No. Mission Zero is a one-time purchase. No monthly subscription and no recurring charge. Choose the Challenge that interests your child and begin when you're ready.

Stay Curious.