Creative Solutions to City Challenges Begin to Take Shape

10/18/2017

As their weeklong Envision Richmond Capstone program continues, Collegiate School 8th Graders gathered in teams today to create prototypes for the solutions they’ve imagined might solve issues facing more than 20 local nonprofit organizations.

Now in its fifth year, Envision Richmond takes students outside of the classroom and into various pockets of the City of Richmond to engage with community leaders. The program aims to foster collaboration, empathy, creativity and problem-solving techniques within students so that they are better equipped to improve the world around them.

Each student group is focusing on one city challenge such as childhood hunger, food deserts, foster care, homelessness and teen mental health. On Monday, students received an overview of the week and rafted on the James River for a team-building exercise. Tuesday was spent talking with representatives from various organizations, including FeedMore, Shalom Farms, the Virginia Home for Boys & Girls, Home Again, Voices for Virginia’s Children and Greater Richmond ARC.

On Thursday, the students will meet with professional marketing and branding experts, who will help them refine their ideas and presentations. On Friday, the final day of the Capstone, the 8th Graders will present their projects to representatives from the nonprofits, as well as School faculty and administrators.

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