Human skills, design thinking, and future-ready experiences for the next generation.

Today’s young people are entering a world shaped by AI, rapid change, constant comparison, and evolving definitions of success. Technical knowledge alone is no longer enough. The future belongs to people who can think critically, communicate clearly, collaborate across differences, and adapt with intention.

Future Makers combines human-centered design, entrepreneurship, storytelling, systems thinking, and real-world problem solving to help students become active participants in shaping the future around them.

Through workshops, innovation challenges, mentorship experiences, and collaborative learning environments, students build the human skills that remain valuable no matter how technology evolves:

  • Creativity

  • Communication

  • Leadership

  • Systems thinking

  • Confidence

  • Emotional intelligence

  • Collaboration

  • Adaptability

This is not traditional career prep.

It is preparation for modern life.

One-Day Innovation Challenge

Future Makers is a youth-centered initiative that helps teenagers and early undergraduate students build the human skills needed to navigate a rapidly changing world.

One of the signature Future Makers experiences is the One-Day Innovation Challenge during Chicago Tech Week, where students work in teams to solve real-world problems connected to entrepreneurship and community impact.

The winning student team will earn the opportunity to present their idea during Chicago Tech Week.

Learn more

Experiences That Help Young People Build What Comes Next

Future Makers creates hands-on experiences that help teenagers and early undergraduate students build creativity, confidence, leadership, and real-world problem-solving skills.

Our programs are designed for curious young people navigating a rapidly changing world and for the parents, educators, and communities supporting them.

Every experience is collaborative, future-focused, and rooted in helping students move from passive consumers to active creators of what comes next.

  • Fast-paced team experiences where students tackle real-world problems connected to entrepreneurship, technology, and community impact.

  • Hands-on sessions focused on storytelling, design thinking, creativity, leadership, communication, and future-ready skills.

  • Collaborative experiences where students work on challenges connected to neighborhoods, local organizations, and social change.

  • Conversations and learning experiences with designers, entrepreneurs, technologists, artists, and community leaders.

  • Designed for ages 14–22

  • No prior experience required

  • Built for curious minds

  • Learn by making

  • Collaborative, not competitive

How Future Makers Works

Explore

Understand the challenge.

Students begin by exploring a real-world topic connected to technology, entrepreneurship, creativity, or community impact. Through conversation, observation, storytelling, and collaboration, participants learn how to ask better questions and uncover meaningful insights.

Imagine

Generate ideas and think creatively.

Students work together to brainstorm possibilities, challenge assumptions, and explore new ways of solving problems. This stage encourages curiosity, creativity, experimentation, and learning how to think beyond the obvious answer.

Build

Turn ideas into something tangible.

Participants sketch concepts, create prototypes, map experiences, and bring ideas to life through hands-on collaboration. The focus is on learning by making, testing, communicating, and adapting together.

Share

Present ideas and grow confidence.

Students share their work with peers, mentors, educators, and community leaders through presentations, storytelling, and reflection. Every experience is designed to help young people strengthen their voice, confidence, and ability to shape what comes next.