EcoTour marks Learn Fresh's first foray into entertainment-focused programming, developed in collaboration with sustainability and music industry experts within our community. At its core, EcoTour features a physical game and curriculum that immerse students in the execution of a performing artist's tour, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills while addressing pressing environmental challenges.
A 2022 study published in The Lancet revealed staggering statistics about young people's concerns regarding climate change, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced education around environmental issues in schools. Through EcoTour, Learn Fresh aims to fill this crucial gap by providing students with the knowledge and tools to understand and address climate-related challenges, alleviating the 'eco-anxiety' prevalent among today's youth.
The EcoTour guides students through every stage of planning a musical artist's tour across North America. From artist selection to routing, budgeting, marketing, and promotion, students engage in a hands-on board game that explores the intersection of economics, climate science, and environmentalism. Moreover, EcoTour exposes students to potential careers in the entertainment industry while fostering a deeper understanding of environmental activism.
In addition to its educational components, EcoTour offers a unique opportunity for collaboration with real-life performing artists. In December 2023, Learn Fresh hosted a pilot workship in partnership with soul-pop group Lawrence and tech leader AMETEK for a group of students from Passaic Preparatory Academy. Lawrence performed for the students and participated in a panel, providing insights into sustainable practices on tour and adding depth to their understanding of sustainability in real-world contexts.
Creaform, a business of AMETEK and leading provider of portable and automated 3D scanning solutions, lead a hands-on demonstration which highlighted their cutting-edge innovations and how they contribute to sustainability goals in industries like renewable energy and air and electric vehicle travel. The highlight of the presentation was a captivating hands-on demonstration featuring one of Creaform’s 3D scanners, which produced images on-screen with high speed and precision, leaving the students enthralled by the technology shaping the world's future. The students then took part in the All-Access workshop lead by the non-profit Record High, who works to meaningfully impact the lives of young people by informing, inspiring and empowering them to achieve their dreams of having careers in the music and entertainment industry. The event concluded with the students attending the Jonas Brothers concert at the Purdential Center as special guests. This initial pilot activation will be the model for future in-person experiences embedded into the EcoTour program.
This fall, Learn Fresh plans to launch a multi-city pilot of the EcoTour program featuring similar partner activations. . We are proud to announce AMETEK is returning in 2024 as the leading funder of the program.
As EcoTour prepares for its national launch, Learn Fresh is excited to partner with educators, schools, and communities to implement this innovative program and make a tangible impact on students' lives. By combining the power of music, education, and sustainability, EcoTour represents a bold step towards building a more informed, empowered, and environmentally conscious generation.
For more information about EcoTour and Learn Fresh's transformative initiatives, please email programs@learnfresh.org.
