CONTEXT: How do you choose the right career path in a world that’s changing faster than ever before? Making informed decisions about your future can feel overwhelming, especially with rapid advancements in technology reshaping industries, economic conditions creating uncertainty, demographic shifts altering societal needs, and political challenges adding complexity. How do you acquire and build skills for jobs that may not even exist yet? How do you navigate the unknowns and chart a course that aligns with your interests, passions and goals? These are the pressing questions today’s high school students face as they stand on the brink of their futures in a fast-changing world.
OVERVIEW: Based on our proprietary and wildly popular undergraduate and graduate school level program, this unique inaugural summer three-day workshop will introduce rising 11th and 12th graders to the concepts of strategic foresight and planning, empowering them to think critically about the future and explore different scenarios and potential outcomes. Students will have the opportunity to develop their own foresight skills, as well as gain a deeper understanding of the forces shaping the world today and how they may impact their future.
This curriculum is formulated specifically for high school students and has its foundations in our proprietary "Ready, Sight, Go!" foresight framework that has been taught at Virginia Tech and George Washington University. The program combines dynamic lectures, inspiring guest speakers from game-changing industries, immersive games, as well as group activities and projects.
OBJECTIVES: By the end of the worksop, students will be able to:
Learn how to think about the future like a pro: Understand the basics of foresight, including why it’s important to imagine different possible futures and how uncertainty and complexity can shape what happens next.
Build your decision-making superpowers: Develop critical thinking skills through fun, hands-on activities like imagining future scenarios, participating in creative workshops, and learning how to plan for what’s ahead.
Discover the trends shaping your world: Explore how technology, the economy, social changes, and the environment are transforming the world—and figure out what it all means for the careers you might want to pursue.
Spot challenges and opportunities early: Use your new futures-thinking skills to identify problems you might face in the future and uncover exciting opportunities, then brainstorm strategies to tackle them head-on.
Think big and share your ideas confidently: Practice creative and strategic thinking about the future and learn how to communicate your ideas effectively—so you can confidently plan your next steps toward college, careers, and beyond.
FORMAT: The course will be held in person over a period of three days, with students participating in a combination of live lectures, interactive workshops, and self-guided learning activities. There will also be opportunities for students to engage with guest speakers and experts in various industries.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This course is ideal for highly motivated high school students (priority given to rising juniors and seniors) with an interest in exploring the future and developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. No prior knowledge of foresight is required.
APPLICATION AND COST: We have a very limited number of slots and the application deadline is May 28, 2025. We will notify you with admission decisions by June 2nd. The introductory program fee is USD $495. Admitted students will be emailed a link for online payment.
LOCATION: Northern Virginia (likely Arlington or Fairfax Counties)
I absolutely love the class. Without my notice, my mind has become extremely narrow within years of growing up, studying, and working every day. This course helped to open my mind and to see the possibilities again. I am very grateful for the learning and thinking process in the classes, and I know I would always remind myself to keep this mentality in the near future in order to look for opportunities, become successful, and lead others.
I came into this course with no real expectations or clear understanding but I am leaving this course filled with knowledge and eager to learn more about foresight. Professor Debass is the type of educator that he is so in-tune with the topic that it does not feel like he is teaching. He is truly a Teacher by nature. I wished this was offered in high school.
Thomas Debass is an international relations and public private partnership professional spanning over two decades of public service. He regularly gives lectures and talks about the intersection of policy, business, tech, and society. Thomas is also an adjunct faculty at George Washington University School of Business teaching graduate courses in foresight, ai, and strategy, as well as at Virginia Tech Department of Economics teaching economics of algorithms, crypto-economics, and other experiential learning courses. Thomas is a graduate of Virginia Tech with MA in Applied Economics and BA in Economics. He also has an Executive Certificate in International Business Management from Georgetown University, an Executive Leadership Certificate from UC-Berkeley, as well as a Certificate in Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight from Institute for the Future. Thomas lives in northern Virginia with his wife and three daughters.