Octavia Project, Inc.

The Octavia Project uses speculative fiction as a lens through which to envision new futures and greater possibilities for our world; blending creative writing, art, science, and technology, our programming increases confidence and skills in a myriad of subjects while fostering leadership and community. Our inspiration and namesake is Octavia E. Butler, who broke barriers in writing and science fiction to become an award-winning and internationally recognized author. We are inspired by her explorations of alternate futures and commitment to social justice. Our free Summer Institute brings together young women and trans, gender non-conforming, or non-binary youth ages 14-18 to build new worlds. We believe that their ideas and imaginations are vital to our future and provide them with the support and tools to get there. Through our curriculum, teens explore how the world around them is created by a series of choices that can be remade or replaced. We use speculative fiction and interdisciplinary workshops to spark interest in and break down bias around STEM subjects like science and tech. Participants stretch their minds by musing on alternate histories with authors like Hugo Award winner N.K. Jemisin; coding interactive games; worldbuilding with architects; and mapping new cities with urban planners. In these explorations, their work grapples with gentrification, body image, climate change, racism, homophobia, and more. Through our robust and in-depth curriculum, participants build necessary skills like critical thinking, digital media literacy, and creative problem-solving while gaining confidence in their voice and vision. Our teens end the summer empowered to lead and effect change in their schools, communities, and cities.