The Changemaker Challenge is well underway for the Class of 2027 at Fountain Valley School. It all starts with this… What is a problem you care about, and what are you going to do about it?

Since January, our juniors have been collaborating, asking questions, testing ideas, and building something that has the potential to make a difference.

This work stems from the Design Challenge Network and is built around the idea that students learn best when they are working on real problems that connect to their lives. Each year, DCN hosts the Community Changemaker Challenge, where more than 40 teams from across New England spend a portion of their spring semester creating and sharing their ideas. Although Fountain Valley students won’t be able to participate in the official event in New Hampshire, the Class of 2027 is still committed to finding solutions to problems in our community.

Students start by identifying a problem that matters to them. They dig into it, asking who it affects and why it is important. They look at what has already been tried and where there might be gaps. From there, they design their own solution and bring it to life through a short video and a live presentation.

Right here at FVS, the juniors have created teams based on their interest and are each taking on very different goals, exploring issues that matter to them and their communities in unique ways.

One team, led by Annabelle C., is exploring sustainability on campus by designing a plan for a sustainable agricultural farm to support the dining hall, along with the possibility of adding a sustainable farming class.

“So much of the future is dependent on us preserving the earth,” said Annabelle. “If we had a farm at our school, we could learn what’s good for our campus and sustainability.”

Buck P.’s group is working on teen and young adult drug abuse prevention by partnering with local organizations and raising awareness around the issue. They are focusing on building leadership skills by looking for ways to make an impact in their own community while also thinking about how that work can reach and influence the wider world.

Donovan W. and his group are exploring photochemical smog in Denver and other metropolitan areas. Another group, led by Delphina D. is looking into how the U.S. healthcare system could become more affordable through ideas like controlled hospital pricing and effective use of tax dollars.

This experience helps shape students into leaders by giving them the opportunity to take initiative, think independently, and turn ideas into meaningful action. The skills gained are meant to stay with students long after the project ends. At Fountain Valley School, experiences like this give students the space to explore ideas, the support to develop them, and the confidence to share them beyond campus and into the wider world.

“You’re thinking about things you usually wouldn’t in high school,” said Annabelle.