Projects
Overview
Research-driven instructional design
Creating an organization to create learning experiences that are fun, engaging and grounded in science.
Training program
We believe that people learn best when they are actively engaged in solving problems they find interesting, relevant and somewhat challenging, are sharing ideas with others, and are having fun.
So we design active, fun and engaging learning experiences that put people in situations where they can practice solving the kinds of problems they might face in a community crisis.
We believe that people learn best when they are actively engaged in solving problems they find interesting, relevant and somewhat challenging, are sharing ideas with others, and are having fun.
So we design active, fun and engaging learning experiences that put people in situations where they can practice solving the kinds of problems they might face in a community crisis.
The focus of our training program is currently on developing a Wildfire learning experience to help community members
- understand what risks they face from wildfire
- develop a mental framework for how they would respond in an actual crisis
- motivate them to prepare
- discover what they can accomplish when they work together
Our next step will be to work with community partners to make it easy for them to adapt our learning experience to the needs of their communities and deliver it effectively.
Our next step will be to work with community partners to make it easy for them to adapt our learning experience to the needs of their communities and deliver it effectively.
Training highlights
Project
Wildfire readiness
Our main focus right now is on working with a few local communities to develop a new learning experience to help community members be ready to support each other in the face of a wildfire threat — from possible evacuation through return to partially damaged homes.
LEARN MORE about the Wildfire project →
Volunteer
Communication Tools Analyst
Help us find a communication tool that will let us manage live training events.
Details
START
As soon as possible
DURATION
1-3 months
DESCRIPTION
We need a simple and easy-to-use communication platform that supports fun and engaging interaction between participants during training events. Can you help us research existing tools used in gaming, simulation and/or communication and determine if they can be adapted to meet our needs?
Research program
We don’t believe in guessing.
Our research program is aimed at ensuring that our learning experiences are grounded in solid theoretical foundations, and use
reliable methods of evaluation.
We don’t believe in guessing.
Our research program is aimed at ensuring that our learning experiences are grounded in solid theoretical foundations, and use
reliable methods of evaluation.
Our present research efforts are narrowly focused on providing our Wildfire learning experience with
- science-backed learning priorities and instructional techniques
- methods for measuring learning outcomes without disrupting participant experience
In the longer term, we seek to promote intersectional research in grassroots crisis response, improvised leadership, and experiential learning, fostering intellectual connections and making our own contributions in these growing areas of research.
In the longer term, we seek to promote intersectional research in grassroots crisis response, improvised leadership, and experiential learning, fostering intellectual connections and making our own contributions in these growing areas of research.
Research highlights
Project
Research Roundtables
Understanding crisis, collective action, and improvised leadership draws on many scientific fields. We are leading a series of roundtable discussions that bring together diverse groups of researchers and practitioners to exchange ideas and share insights.
LEARN MORE about Roundtables →
Volunteer
Evaluation Designer
Work with us to develop ways of measuring progress and impact, and collect and understand the data.
Details
START
ASAP
DURATION
3-6 months
DESCRIPTION
We want to change behavior, so we need to know what effects we are having. We need a creative, and rigorous, thinker to help us define outcome metrics and measures, and develop data collection methods for evaluating what people learn from our events as well as the success of our programs.
Other activities
While we are primarily focused on the Wildfire project, we also keep other activities moving forward. These are concentrated around three strategic goals:
- Having an immediate impact by sharing the knowledge and insights we find
- Growing our team through networking and volunteer recruiting
- Growing our future through fundraising and exacting planning
While we are primarily focused on the Wildfire project, we also keep other activities moving forward. These are concentrated around three strategic goals:
- Having an immediate impact by sharing the knowledge and insights we find
- Growing our team through networking and volunteer recruiting
- Growing our future through fundraising and exacting planning
Highlights
Volunteer
Grant Writer
Help us to find and apply for grants, so we can turn a generous world into a resilient one.
Details
START
As soon as possible
DURATION
Occasional or ongoing
DESCRIPTION
We need to secure funding for the development and testing of our new wildfire training experience. We are aiming for grants in the $5K-$100K range, focusing on corporate and community-based funders with interests in community resilience and/or wildfire preparedness.
From our blog
Five steps to obtaining disaster assistance
On the fifth day of Thanks and Giving, we give to you … five tips for getting the help you need after a disaster.
Three CZU Fire Survivors Tell Their Stories
On the third day of Thanks and Giving, we give to you … three stories from people who had to flee their homes because of wildfire.
Learning from COVID-19 grassroots leaders: 7 Tips to be Effective in a Crisis (part 3 of 2)
Here are the 7 behaviors Spontaneous Leaders in COVID-19 told us were critical to their success.
From our blog
Five steps to obtaining disaster assistance
On the fifth day of Thanks and Giving, we give to you … five tips for getting the help you need after a disaster.
Three CZU Fire Survivors Tell Their Stories
On the third day of Thanks and Giving, we give to you … three stories from people who had to flee their homes because of wildfire.
Learning from COVID-19 grassroots leaders: 7 Tips to be Effective in a Crisis (part 3 of 2)
Here are the 7 behaviors Spontaneous Leaders in COVID-19 told us were critical to their success.
“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.“
— Andy Warhol