Past Workshops

We’ve hosted workshops in multiple languages across the world to students of all ages.

Leaders 4SC: Middle School Civics Summer Workshop (Virtual -- July-August 2020)

During July and August 2020, we hosted a virtual six-week middle school summer workshop for 110 students

Because it’s amazing and it challenges your thinking skills and allows you to voice your opinions.” (Student)

“You should come to this camp if you want to learn and discuss new things, and then calmly debate them with other students.” (Student)

“This camp is great for kids who want to learn and understand about the issues in our society.” (Student)

“Students should attend next year because it has very informing topics and feedback is awesome. We also had a lot of fun and got close to our group. We are staying in touch with the whole classroom and can’t wait to do it again!” (Student)

“the topics are current and controversial (open for much discussion) the instructors are kind and knowledgable” (Parent)

“great format of camp, nice variety of topics covered and instructors were awesome” (Parent)
 

Leaders 4SC One-Day Workshops (Virtual -- May 2020)

During May 2020, we hosted two virtual 2-hour middle school workshops on current events

Leaders 4SC: Middle School Civics Summer Workshop (Lesley University, MA -- July 2019)

During July 2019, we hosted a two-week middle school summer workshop in Boston for 25 students.

“Great for kids who want to be challenged, discuss thought-provoking topics, and meet other kids who share their love of learning.” (Parent)

“This workshop really help[ed] my boys to learn and know [the] steps of writing guidelines. They are in middle school but the can pull off college writing steps.” (Parent)

“This workshop enhanced [student’s] curiosity about sensitive topics at home and globally.” (Parent)

“You should attend if you want to make friends, learn something and have fun.” (Student)

“Striving for the good and just is essential in our household. When selecting summer camp options we were thrilled to find a camp that nurtured those values. Our child learned valuable skills in how to read and analyze the news, skills he keeps up by now reading the New York Times each morning! Not many 10 year olds ask for their own subscription. Our child still offers us occasional lectures on issues and ideas he discussed during camp. He feels empowered to be an engaged citizen and excited to work to make the world a better place for all.” (Parent)

“It gives the students a very good sense of important issues as they have the chance to practice writing and talking about those.” (Student)

“Because it is actually fun and really teaches you how to argue your point and how to make a difference through your writing.” (Student)

The Crimson Summer Academy (Cambridge, MA -- July 2019)

In partnership with Thinker Analytix, we led a one-hour workshop on education and schools.

Indians/Women 4SC: Becoming A Leader In Your Home, Work, and Country (Mumbai, India -- June 2019) 

We spent the whole day with an inter-generational group of women on topics such as self-advocacy, conflicts between traditions and justice, and raising empowered daughters.

Harvard Splash (Harvard University, MA -- April 2019)

We hosted 6 one-hour classes for 175 students (total) titled: Liberty OR Justice For All: How Far Should The State Go?, Educational Justice: The Why And How, Cognitive Biases And Social Change, What Even Are Rights?, Are Moral and Legal Obligations The Same?, and Why Believe In A God: A History.

The Crimson Summer Academy (Cambridge, MA -- July 2019)

In partnership with Thinker Analytix, we led a one-hour workshop on education and schools.

Wellesley Middle School (Wellesley, MA -- December 2018 & March 2019)

We did two one-hour public speaking workshops for an after-school class that included specific feedback for a competition they were preparing for.

“Priten Shah was amazing with our middle schoolers. He knows how to talk to them. Priten got these reluctant speakers to stand and practice their speeches, and to eventually deliver their words with confidence, loud and clear without fidgeting. He beautifully scaffolded his feedback. At first he would praise them and have them change something very small and easy. He would continue to have them repeat their speeches, and each time the feedback got more sophisticated, and the students felt it. We could see them standing up straighter, and could see the realization on their faces that this was a professional taking them through the needed steps, that this was not just empty praise and obligatory fixes. I would highly recommend United 4 Social Change for middle schoolers if they are doing anything related to public speaking, or if they are just being introduced to the idea of public speaking being a useful life skill.” (Teacher)

MIT Splash (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA -- November 2018)

We taught 4 one-hour classes on the following topics: Liberty OR Justice For All: How Far Should The State Go?, Cognitive Biases And Social Change, and What Even Are Rights?.

“Truly awesome! Lot of fun and a great discussion. Enjoyed that the students drove the discussion.” (Student)

Neptun Waterfall (Northeastern University, MA -- November 2018)

We taught 3 one-hour classes on the following topics: Liberty OR Justice For All: How Far Should The State Go?, Cognitive Biases And Social Change, and Public Speaking for Social Change. 

“This class was amazing. Wish it was longer.” (Student)

Yale Splash (Yale University, CT -- November 2018)

We taught 6 one-hour classes on the following topics to almost 500 students: Public Speaking for Social Change, Liberty or Justice: How Far Can the State Go?, and Entrepreneurship for High School Students.

“Even though I already took debate, I learned new things.” (Student)

Muslim Youth Leadership Program (CAIR, MA -- August 2018)

We led a two-hour public speaking workshop for around 30 students attending Cair’s Muslim Youth Leadership Program in Boston.

The Academy at Harvard Square (Cambridge, MA -- August 2018)

We taught multiple one-hour and two-hour workshops to students visiting from Vietnam, China, and South Korea on public speaking and advocacy.

“Thank you for the wonderful lectures for Chulwon students. They love your class so much.” (Student)

Power of Hope/Educational Divide Reform (Cambridge, MA -- August 2018)

We taught two workshops to North Korean Refugees on social entrepreneurship and change-making.

The Crimson Summer Academy (Cambridge, MA -- July 2018)

We taught two two-hour workshops in partnership with Thinker Analytix on Parental Licensing and Rights and Punishment. 

Writing for Social Change Advocacy (Delhi, India -- June 2018)

We hosted a day-long workshop on writing for social advocacy for college students.

Thinker Analytix (Cambridge, MA -- April 2018)

We gave lectures and led discussions on Moral Luck, Punishment and Forgiveness for Thinker Analytix’s spring break workshop.

MIT HSSP (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA -- Spring 2018)

We taught two 6-week one-hour class series titled: Liberty or Justice For All: How Far Should the State Go? And Writing for Social Change. 

The Academy at Harvard Square (Cambridge, MA -- February 2018)

We worked with middle school students visiting from Vietnam for two days centering on the following theme: Not Too Young To Change the World.

Educational Divide Reform (Cambridge, MA -- January 2018)

We gave two two-hour talks at an entrepreneurship program for North Korean refugees on social entrepreneurship.

Yale Splash (Yale University, CT -- November 2017)

We taught four one-hour classes to high school and middle school students on the following themes: Educational Justice, Public Speaking, Writing for Social Change, and Liberty or Justice: How Far Can the State Go?.

“Hi Priten, this is {student name}. I just wanted to thank you for what was easily the liveliest class of my day. You made me consider aspects of political philosophy that I never thought of, and I will definitely be inquiring further into the theory of real choice. Thank you!” (Student)

“I really enjoyed taking your Yale Splash class “Writing for Social Change.” I’ve been to Yale Splash twice and it was by far the best class I’ve taken.” (Student)

Global Academic Commons (Boston College, MA -- Summer 2016 & Summer 2017)

During both summers, we taught a two-week summer camp to students from around the world on media and social change, covering journalism, writing, public speaking, graphics, and websites.

Writing and Social Advocacy (Mumbai, India -- July 2015)

We hosted a one-day workshop in Mumbai on writing and social advocacy for students in high school and college.

Written and Spoken Social Advocacy for Women's Empowerment Workshop (Delhi, India -- July 2015)

We hosted a one-day workshop in partnership with SEWA Bharat on using spoken and written forms of advocacy for empowerment.