The Experiment Digital

Climate Change and the Environment

Connect virtually with high school students across the U.S. and Latin America! Understand the climate crisis in communities around the world, complete a final project that proposes a solution, and develop leadership and intercultural communication skills.

  • Certificate

  • Community Service

  • Leadership

  • Sustainability

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Designed to connect hundreds of young people across the United States with peers in the Latin America (LATAM) region, such as Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

The Experiment Digital Climate Change and the Environment prepares participants to be more civically engaged and lead change. This fully funded eight-week virtual experience teaches high school students to understand the climate crisis in communities around the world and complete a final project that proposes a solution for the climate crisis.

Students come away from the program with:

  • Deepened understanding of the intersection of social issues and climate change impacts;
  • Hands-on experience in environmental sustainability;
  • Leadership and intercultural communications skills; and
  • Friendships with peers from different countries and cultures.

The Experiment Digital, a pioneer in virtual exchange programming, launched in 2016. Our programs draw upon best practices in experiential learning accumulated over decades of Experiment programming. Launched initially to connect Experimenters with students in countries where travel and traditional programs were not possible, The Experiment Digital Climate Change and the Environment now provides a critical outlet for global intercultural exchange.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a Certificate of Completion, access to the U.S. Department of State’s International Alumni Network, unique project funding opportunities from the U.S. Department of State, and a $400 scholarship toward participation in one of The Experiment in International Living’s summer 2026 programs around the world.

Read and share our program flyer.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

PROGRAM DATES

  • June 23, 2025 to August 17, 2025
  • Program orientation takes place the week of June 16, 2025, and is a time commitment of one hour.
  • The time commitment is 2-4 asynchronous hours per week, and 1 hour per week is optional synchronous online meeting time.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The application for The Experiment Digital Climate Change and the Environment is opening soon.

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Please join our upcoming information session with our staff about the program!

  • Coming soon

PREVIOUS INFORMATION SESSIONS

Why We’re Different

The Experiment Digital Climate Change and the Environment retains The Experiment’s longstanding model of experiential learning and emphasis on forming meaningful relationships and moves it into the virtual space. Using popular digital platforms for teens like Canvas, Padlet, Flipgrid, and Zoom, our virtual program model gives young people the opportunity to build international friendships online. Peer-to-peer engagement, combined with carefully designed activities, allows students to learn from one another and develop knowledge and attitudes that foster cultural understanding.

Virtual exchanges diversify the learning experience through accessible digital means, enabling an increasing number of young people to enjoy a meaningful intercultural experience as part of their education. 

Experiential Learning Online

  • Learning with The Experiment Digital Climate Change and the Environment is challenging and fun. Participants learn how to facilitate digital discussions, lead online dialogues via video chat, and formulate and implement service projects in their local communities. Activities center around bringing students together to navigate scenarios that test their abilities and reflect on lessons learned through collaborative dialogue. Students practice collaborative problem solving, intercultural communication, and digital etiquette—all of which are important in our increasingly globalized world.

Safe and Intimate Small Group Spaces

  • The participant to expert facilitator ratio is 5:1. This allows for small group conversations with authentic engagement. Students share their hopes, fears, and discuss important topics such as gender norms and stereotypes. 

Program for Youth Led by Youth

  • Our facilitators are program alumni with experience in cultural exchanges. Community Facilitators manage “Neighborhoods” and were selected because of their experience working with youth and facilitating intercultural exchanges. They undergo an intensive month-long training for online facilitation. Peer Mentors, alumni of our previous digital programs, offer another layer of support to participants.

Robust Curriculum to Prepare Future Digital Citizens

  • Through interactions with international peers, students practice collaborative problem solving, intercultural communication, and digital etiquette—all of which are important in our increasingly globalized world. 

Program Modules

The Experiment Digital Climate Change and the Environment community is split into smaller groups or “Neighborhoods” and are led by Digital Community Facilitators and Digital Peer Mentors. Within those neighborhoods are smaller groups called “Families.”

The Experiment Digital includes four modules, each two weeks long, and includes various activities, discussions, and tasks—some completed independently and others in a team, with family, or neighborhood groups.

Module 1: Causes of Climate Change

Module 2: Climate Impacts

Module 3: The Extractive Economy & Climate Campaigns

Module 4: Empowerment for a Sustainable Present and Future

Sample Activities

  • Watch a video to learn how to analyze the root causes of an issue happening in your community (5 minutes).
  • Share your perspective on why homelessness is happening in your city and respond to what your peers have shared (15 minutes).
  • Post a photo of your favorite store in your city (5 minutes).
  • Discuss with your “neighborhood” (a group of 20–25) three of the best items to keep on a sinking boat in order to survive (1 hour).
  • Ask a community activist questions about implementing better street cleaning solutions during a live webinar. (1 hour)
  • Video chat with your “family” (a small group of 5) and your facilitator on the intersection between gender and peacebuilding. (1 hour)

Eligibility Requirements

You are eligible to apply if you:

  • Are between the ages of 14–19 years old
  • Are currently enrolled in or have not yet completed high school
  • Reside in the United States or the LATAM region, including Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
  • Have basic English language competency
  • Have regular access to the Internet*
  • Can devote 2- 4 hours each week to the program

*Internet support may be available upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I get from completing the program?

  • By participating in The Experiment Digital, you will receive a Certificate of Completion in leadership and global issues analysis, access to the U.S. Department of State’s International Exchange Alumni network, unique project funding opportunities, and a $400 scholarship toward participation in one of The Experiment’s programs around the world.

How do I become a digital facilitator?

When does The Experiment Digital take place?

  • Programs take place for 8 weeks and will require 2–4 hours of time each week. Most of the work is asynchronous; however, there will be an optional 1-hour synchronous call each week.

How do you select your students?

  • During our application review, we look for participants who: (1) Demonstrate a commitment to the program and its goals; (2) Are passionate about developing their leadership and intercultural communication skills; (3) Have an open-minded attitude and are willing to learn from others; (4) Have a strong desire to create social change in their communities; (5) Have not had extensive travel experience.

FUNDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

World Learning’s The Experiment Digital is funded by the Stevens Initiative, which is housed at the Aspen Institute and is supported by the Bezos Family Foundation.
Four logos in a row.

AT A GLANCE

Program Availability

Not Yet Enrolling

Program Date

Jun 23 - Aug 17

Time Commitment

2-4 Hours/Week

Prerequisite

None

Program Fee*

Fully Funded (Free!)

Countries

United States & the LATAM region

Application Deadline

Enrolling Soon


One of the most valuable things I learned from The Experiment Digital was that everyone has the ability to help their community, no matter how big or small it is.

Past Group Leader

Photo of Djamila Azzouz

Djamila Azzouz

Djamila is a 2019 digital facilitator and master’s student from Algeria. Prior to serving as a facilitator, Djamila was a mentee in the Maharat Mentorship program with World Learning. She also serves as a communication manager for a community project that aims to help university students who live far from their homes during the school year to eat healthier and save more money.

“I believe that one thing I gained from being a part of the program is the people whom I had the chance to meet. In one way or another, they all left an impact on me. Some taught me lessons and gave me guidance; some inspired me and some I even learnt from their mistakes. By the end of the program, I found myself having a whole new group of friends from different countries and backgrounds with whom I am still in touch with today.”