Pseads

EducationPseads designs and implements educational programs that cultivate critical literacy, writing, science learning, and community engagement. The organization serves students in K-12 and higher education, as well as educators and adult learners, advancing learning experiences that integrate inquiry, reflection, creativity, and collaboration to strengthen voice, agency, and academic engagement.Three Largest ProgramsHope on the RizePseads launched the fourth year of Hope on the Rize, a writing and media-creation initiative serving students from grades 5 through college. The program integrates creativity, technical skill-building, emotional well-being, and personal growth while developing transferable skills aligned with educational success and career readiness, including resilience, community engagement, and creative problem-solving. During the year, more than 1,400 students across five Bay Area school districts participated, producing over 1,100 films. Pseads also convened a council of mentors to celebrate student achievement and elevate youth voices, and partnered with a global tree-planting initiative to plant more than 1,100 trees one for every completed film.Blue Skies, Bright Star Poetry & Science ProgramPseads designed and implemented the tenth year of the Blue Skies, Bright Star Poetry & Science Program in collaboration with classroom teachers. The program provides a 6- or 8-week learning experience for students in grades K-5 that integrates reflective writing, poetry, and science to foster curiosity, creativity, storytelling, self-expression, and collaboration. During the year, more than 1,500 students across six Bay Area school districts participated. The program supports equity, asset-based learning, arts-science integration, and community building while providing meaningful opportunities for student engagement and literacy development. Students who have struggled with school engagement and literacy have demonstrated increased participation, confidence, and success through this program. Lambert Light Youth Fellowship ProgramPseads implemented a new Youth Fellowship Program, welcoming five inaugural Fellows from high school and college communities. The program supports young people in developing leadership, research, storytelling, and community-engagement skills. Through mentorship, reflective inquiry, and project-based learning, Fellows design and complete original research and creative projects addressing issues relevant to their lives and communities. The program provides opportunities for youth to strengthen communication, critical thinking, and civic engagement while contributing to community knowledge and dialogue. During the year, Fellows conducted independent projects, participated in mentorship and leadership development activities, and shared their findings and creative work with peers, educators, and community members.