From Empathy to Action: Designing a Sustainable Future
SMDT Club (Sustainability Mindset with Design Thinking)
Zurich International School | 2026 Jan- April
Our 8 weeks
This presentation highlights the journey and outcomes of an immersive 8-week program that introduced high school students to sustainability through a design thinking framework.
A primary goal of the course was to cultivate empathy and open students' minds to complex sustainability issues by examining them through the diverse lenses of various stakeholders. Utilizing human-centered design methodologies—such as emotional journey maps and 5-senses observations—students learned to deeply understand how different people experience the exact same environment.
Final Presentation
Putting these tools into practice, the cohort tackled a shared, real-world challenge: "How to improve the cafeteria experience." Based on careful observation of their school and its community, each team developed their own unique problem statements and targeted sustainability goals.
The following slides detail this comprehensive 8-week journey, showcasing the students' empathetic research, innovative ideas, and final design solutions.
Presenter & Timeline:
Follow Us on Social
Continue Your SMDT Journey
Gaia Change Makers Program
The Gaia Changemakers Program is a global, 3-week journey designed for adventurous 15- to 19-year-olds who want to make a real difference. We help young people transform their anxieties about the climate, their careers, and the future into purposeful action. By bridging the gap between adventure and impact, we empower the next generation with the exact skills, confidence, and values that top universities and employers seek in tomorrow's leaders.
SMDT Holiday Camps
SMDT holiday camps offer a hands-on learning experience for kids aged 5 to 12. Through interactive real-world outings, collaborative games, and creative projects, children explore topics like environmental conservation and healthy food systems.
While we are always excited to welcome new campers, we are also looking for passionate high school students to join our team as interns. If you are enthusiastic about sustainability and design thinking, this is a unique chance to step into a "big brother" or "big sister" role for our younger learners. You will help guide them through their projects while gaining valuable leadership experience. Learn more and reach out to us today to explore our current internship opportunities!
Contact us
We would love to hear from you! Whether you want to learn more about our programs, explore school partnerships, or discuss other ways to collaborate, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to continuing this journey with you.