The future is coming. This moment matters.

Schools prepare kids for tests.
We prepare them for opportunities.

Hello. Welcome to GiFT (Global Institute for Futures Teaching). At GiFT we help students prepare for an exponentially changing future.

After decades working with students and parents—as a teacher, builder of innovation centers, and designer of future-focused learning experiences, Richard Tavener began asking a different question: how to help children orient themselves toward a future that is not yet defined.

To be successful, students need beyond 21st century skills such as reasoning, ethics, adaptability; to practice on real-world problems that interests them; and have access to the innovation methods pros use. And, to have a futurist guide to help them through the maze to an uncertain the future.

When you and your child log into GiFT, you’ll stretch their thinking beyond the classroom—exploring scenarios, solving conundrums, building brainpower, and traveling through our Classroom Time Machine to meet today’s innovators shaping tomorrow. It’s future-focused learning that builds the skills kids need in a world of constant change.

Think of GiFT as Blue Man Group meets Singularity University—high-energy creativity with mind-expanding futures, designed for students.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

Mission Zero: A Method for Rehearsing the Future

The reality is no one can predict the future. That's why it’s so important for students to explore, play with, and rehearse possible futures.

Rehearsal is not just a metaphor here. It is a method. It's the pedagogical heart of what we call Mission Zero; a future-focused, scenario-based way of learning that gives children a chance to engage with real-world challenges through imagination, collaboration, and creativity.

How this works.

Begin by reading the manifesto "Threshold" (it's free and the best place to start). Threshold is an invitation to pause, recognize the moment when your child begins to see the world, and themselves, differently. No cost. No obligation. Just a conversation.

You can experience Mission Zero in practice for free. You and your child can 'test drive' Mission Zero at no cost. This is not a demo or a preview. It's a real Mission Zero experience--offered freely so families can see the depth and care behind this work.

When you're ready, next is Guided Practice. Mission Zero unfolds across two seasons because growth happens over time--naturally, unevenly, and outside the confines of a school schedule.

In Season One children and parents begin to practice new ways of observing, questioning, reflecting and engaging with uncertainty--supported by structure and shared language. Season One establishes a rhythm. Season Two supports deeper practice with more student agency, connecting to a community of learners and experts. Season Two sustains that rhythm until it becomes a new way of thinking. Overall, Mission Zero offers children time to make choices, test ideas, rehearse outcomes, and build confidence across different challenges and situations.

Free orientation. Two Practice Seasons. That's the experience. We don't believe families should stay enrolled out of habit or obligation. The goal isn't dependence--it's readiness.

Imagination in Action


Each Mission Zero Challenge includes a unique deck of playing cards, and an online AI Guide named Zivlig ("Z" for short). There are multiple cards in the deck related to each of these topics: Scenario, Conundrum and Artifact. Using the cards, and Z, student teams explore possible futures.

Together these three cards form the basis of a possible future related to a real-world challenge.

Brain Builders

Included in Mission Zero are brain teasers and riddles that sharpen focus, strengthen reasoning, and give your child the mental agility to thrive in any situation. 

Badges 

Mission Zero incorporates a set of digital badges that your child earns throughout each challenge.

SmarterWorld Café

Includes interviews with the world's leading scientists, engineers and designers. Great minds who don't think alike!

GiFT Exchange

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

Virtual Field Trips

Take Virtual Field Trips to tour the world's most innovative companies. Behind-the-scenes of next-generation jobs.

GiFT Guide

Personalized Tutorial Live Chats with futurist educator Richard Tavener. Where wisdom meets curiosity, innovation and futures thinking.

Designed to fit naturally into after-school, home school and summer schedules

Start Here

Try it!

No Cost
Orientation. This is not a demo or a preview. It's a real Mission Zero experience--offered freely so families can feel the depth and care behind this work.
  • Parent and student orientation
  • Mission Zero Emissions Challenge
  • A guided entry experience
  • Parent orientation
  • Reflection prompts
  • SmarterWorld Café--curated on-demand
  • One Virtual Field Trip
  • No subscription, no auto renew
  • Continue only if it feels right

Season One

$179 one time
Guided practice begins. This season is about 2-4 months, a complete, thoughtful season. Your child connects with possible futures by engaging with challenges that awaken imagination, resourcefulness and invention.
  • One time cost
  • Mission Zero Challenges (2)
  • Guided practice
  • Skills Badges
  • No subscription, no auto renew
  • Parent orientation and support
  • Reflection prompts
  • SmarterWorld Café--curated on-demand
  • Virtual Field Trip, one anchor experience
  • Certificate of Completion

Season Two

$299 one time
Guided practice builds for about 4-6 months, an increased depth of learning, choice and readiness. Includes team coaching, personalized letter of recommendation, and college-career readiness badges. Some families choose additional guidance, such as personalized mentoring. 
  • One time cost
  • Personalized Mission Zero Challenge Pathways
  • Guided practice
  • No subscription, no auto-renew
  • College-Career Readiness Badging
  • Letter of Recommendation from Richard
  • Reflection prompts
  • Team coaching
  • Access GiFT Exchange Community
  • SmarterWorld Café--expanded live and self-directed
  • Virtual Field Trips, multiple experiences
  • Certificate of Completion
Still thinking about it?

We'd love to hear from you.

At The Threshold

Explore More.