Design, Systems, and Future Thinking: Seeing Beyond the Horizon

July 6-10, 2026 Rose Hill

Non-Credit Course

Step into the driver’s seat of tomorrow. In this immersive 5-day program, students will explore how today’s choices shape the world of the future — from emerging technologies and climate shifts to cultural change and innovation. Through a mix of interactive workshops, simulations, and collaborative design challenges, participants will learn how to think like futurists, using strategy, design, and systems thinking to imagine and build better futures.

Skills and Learning Outcomes

Students will get to:

  • Identify weak signals, trends, and “wild cards” that influence future change.

  • Apply foresight tools such as scenario planning, backcasting, and systems mapping.

  • Collaborate on creative problem-solving through storytelling, design, and strategic thinking.

  • Communicate complex ideas visually and verbally through data and narrative.

Overall Takeaways

Working in small groups, students will analyze real-world challenges and use futures thinking to envision alternative 2035 scenarios — from sustainable cities to the future of education, food, or AI. Teams will present their ideas in The Future Worlds Challenge, showcasing how imagination, ethics, and innovation can shape a preferred future for people and planet.

Course Schedule

  • Day 1: Introduction to Futures Thinking – How the future is shaped, not predicted. Identify signals of change and challenge assumptions.

  • Day 2: Mapping Possibilities – Use the Futures Cone and scenario tools to explore possible, probable, and preferable futures.

  • Day 3: Thinking in Systems – Understand how social, technological, environmental, economic, and political forces interact.

  • Day 4: Prototyping Future Worlds – Design creative “artifacts from the future” that bring your vision to life.

  • Day 5: The Future Worlds Challenge – Collaborate to design and present a 2035 scenario for a real organization or community.

Instructor's Bio

Dr. Craig Vezina is a global education leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for sustainable innovation. With more than two decades of experience in international education, Craig has worked with schools and organizations worldwide to bring creativity and systems thinking into learning. He is the founder and CEO of The Spaceship, a sustainability-focused education and AI company helping organizations embed environmental responsibility into their DNA.

Craig holds a PhD in International Diplomacy and Strategy and is known for his hands-on, future-facing approach to teaching. He frequently speaks at global events including SXSWedu, ChangeNow Summit, and the UN Festival of Action, and serves on the OECD Education 2030 Global Forum. His mission: to help the next generation turn imagination into strategy for a better world.

Course Details

Design, Systems, and Future Thinking: Seeing Beyond the Horizon

July 6-10, 2025, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Rose Hill Campus
Instructor: Dr. Craig Vezina

Course Number: SULA 0118 RN2
CRN: 17075

This non-credit course is open to high school students only.

Tuition

Residential: $2,086.00
Tuition for the residential program includes the course, course materials, housing, meals, and excursions in and outside of class. Move-in is Sunday afternoon, the day before classes begin. Please click here for a more detailed calendar of important dates.

Commuter: $1,418.00
Tuition for commuters includes the course, course materials, lunches, and excursions in and outside of class. Additional meals are available on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Students may wish to bring funds for incidentals, shopping at the Fordham Bookstore, souvenirs, and any personal items they wish to purchase.

 

Apply

Application deadlines:

Course and housing: The deadlines for 2027 will be posted by December 2026. Please note that admission decisions are rolling until the class is full, and course caps are around 20 students. The deadline to be considered for a limited number of need-based discounts for 2027 will be posted by December 2026. We recommend early application.

Application Requirements: this non-credit course is open to high school students who have completed their first year. The course is recommended for those with a 3.0 or better. No prior experience with the subject matter is required.

To apply, you will need a copy of your high school transcript and your fall report card if the grades are not reflected on your transcript.

Please make note of the course details above because you will select your course as part of your application.

There is a $75 fee to apply and a $300 deposit to secure your seat. Housing requires a $50 deposit. All payments will be treated as deposits toward your final bill.

Apply

If you are not ready to apply, you can sign up to stay informed about the Fordham Summer Leaders Academy too, or email us with questions!

Immersion 2 Resident Move-In/Move-Out

The below chart reflects dates for Summer 2026. Updated dates for 2027 will be available by December 2026.

Date  Resident Information
June 12 All medical forms and consents due
July 5 Move-in between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., all Immersion 2 students 
July 11 Move-out between 6 and 9 p.m., Immersion 2 One-Week students
July 17 Move-out before 10 a.m., Immersion 2 Two-Week students

Courses by Subject Area

  • The courses below reflect our offerings for Summer 2026. Our 2027 offerings will be available by December 2026.

  • The courses below reflect our offerings for Summer 2026. Our 2027 offerings will be available by December 2026.

  • The courses below reflect our offerings for Summer 2026. Our 2027 offerings will be available by December 2026.

    • Community Consulting for Young Changemakers (June 22-26)
    • Law and Argument in the U.S. (July 20-30)
    • Lead Like Ignatius: Civic Service and Public Speaking (June 22-26, July 20-24)
    • Your Journey to the Bar: Fordham’s Pre-Law Intensive (July 6-16)

  • The courses below reflect our offerings for Summer 2026. Our 2027 offerings will be available by December 2026.