Stories About Youth Activists Making a Difference
Global Youth Service Day 2025 takes place on April 25-27
Inspire your students with this short music video, Unsung Hero Song, featuring youth. This song was written and performed by Kitty Richardson. (1:55)
Environmental activist Slater Jewel-Kemker began her journey as a MY HERO Youth Reporter. She has dedicated over a decade documenting the work of brave youth from around the world for her feature documentary, "Youth Unstoppable."
To learn more about Slater's early work with MY HERO: Films About and By Young Filmmaker Slater Jewell Kemker
Slater Unstoppable (1:47)
Slater's commitment to the global youth climate movement is truly inspiring. Slater Jewell Kemker is a Director, Activist and change maker.
Short Film Program
The following films are about youth activists who identified a problem, then worked on creating a solution by becoming a leader in their community.
60 Sec Docs with Jahkil Jackson (1:00)
Ocean Hero Spotlight (4:23)
Green SuperHeroes 2030 Trailer (0:54)
Alex Epstein: The Power of Volunteering (6:52)
A young man becomes an activist when his fellow citizens suffer from a national disaster.
MABON ‘The 8 year old activist’ (4:39)
Olivia's Birds and the Oil Spill (6:45)
Young Olivia loves birds, and creates over 500 paintings of her feathered friends to raise funds for Audubon's bird rescue.
Stories About Youth Activists Making a Positive Difference
William Kamkwamba is a Malawian engineer, TED speaker, and memoirist who, at 14, built his first windmill from junkyard scraps to help his struggling family farm.
The Following Story has Audio and Text Allowing Students to Listen as They Read Along
Ryan Hreljac helps build wells for clean water in Africa.
1. How are these activists examples of how one person can make a difference regardless of his or her age?
2. What common character traits did you notice about these people?
3. Which issues did you make a personal connection with and why?
4. What are important issues related to climate change facing your community or the world that you would like to address? What can you do? Create an action plan and share your story with MY HERO.
Art
Students are encouraged to research the youth activist below to learn more about their accomplishments.
Samantha Reed Smith (June 29, 1972 - August 25, 1985) was an American schoolgirl from Manchester, Maine, who became known as "America's Youngest Ambassador" in the United States
Students will have a better understanding of how one person can make a difference and identify causes that they feel are important. Students will have an opportunity to create an action plan as to how they can work on an issue important to them.
Students can share their Hero Essays, Films and Art through our Create Program
How to use MY HERO's Create Program to Publish Stories, Art, Film and Audio for Students
Tutorial for students: Publish written stories, film, original artwork and audio in MY HERO's multimedia library.
Outstanding essays submitted to MY HERO will be considered for a certificate/t-shirt prize or be featured on the Story Homepage.
Submit your artwork to be entered in the MY HERO art contest or to be exhibited on our Gallery Homepage.
Students can submit their films for free with a waiver to the MY HERO International Film Festival.
MY HERO Calendars for use in the Classroom
MY HERO's Teachers Calendar Features Lesson Plans and Multimedia Resources
Learn about a New Hero Every Day of the Year: Use the MY HERO Calendar in the Classroom
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The Global Youth Service Day lesson plan was curated by MY HERO Education Outreach Director Laura Nietzer and features youth heroes. |
Youth Service America
YSA organizes Global Youth Service Day. YSA helps young people find their voice, take action, and make an impact on vital community issues.
YSA's vision is a global culture of engaged children and youth committed to a lifetime of meaningful service, learning, and leadership.
Organizer created on 3/14/2019 1:48:52 PM by Laura Nietzer
Last edited 2/26/2025 12:47:24 PM by Laura Nietzer
