foundry10

🐾🌊 June is National Zoo and Aquarium Month, a celebration of the conservation, education, and animal care happening at zoos and aquariums everywhere.

At Woodland Park Zoo and Harbor WildWatch, young people are getting their start in these fields by gaining hands-on experience across careers like animal care, veterinary medicine, marine science, and environmental education, with support from foundry10.

This month, we're celebrating the next generation of conservationists in training.

🎬 Watch their stories:

https://ow.ly/C0TL50ZfruF– Woodland Park Zoo

https://ow.ly/9J4j50ZfrvN – Harbor WildWatch

What do caregivers know about how their children learn numbers?

A new foundry10 report highlights findings from a recent pilot study on how caregivers perceive children’s early number knowledge and how those perceptions shape number learning at home.

The findings suggest that caregivers often overestimate what their children already understand about numbers, particularly when counting ability is mistaken for deeper number knowledge. The report also found that caregivers tend to tailor number-related instruction based on these perceptions.

The report highlights opportunities to equip caregivers with the knowledge they need to support their children's number development.

Read the full report: https://ow.ly/T3YK50ZahCM

How can educators help students think critically about AI's environmental impact?

That's the question that brought together foundry10 researcher Aayushi Dangol and sixth-grade teacher Anna Baldi.

Aayushi created EcoPrompt, an interactive learning tool designed to help young people explore the environmental impacts of generative AI through curiosity, experimentation, and reflection. This spring, Anna used EcoPrompt with her students at The Evergreen School, giving them opportunities to investigate questions such as:

💧 How does AI use water?
⚡ What energy powers AI systems?
🌎 What are the tradeoffs associated with AI tools?
🤔 How do our technology choices connect to larger systems?

Rather than telling students what to think about AI, EcoPrompt encourages them to ask questions, explore different perspectives, and develop their own understanding.

Read how research and classroom practice came together to support thoughtful conversations about AI, sustainability, and digital literacy: https://ow.ly/X78850Z93N6

We are looking to hire a Senior Research Operations Manager to provide management and support for PhD-level researchers and oversee the systems behind our research work.

This role will manage PhD-level researchers across disciplines such as psychology, economics, cognitive science, and machine learning, while working closely with the Research Director to drive team operations and long-term planning.

We're looking for someone with proven experience managing researchers in complex environments, building effective systems, and leading applied research operations. If you're passionate about guiding researchers to their fullest potential and creating the conditions for meaningful work to happen, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply by June 14, 2026. Learn more and apply: https://ow.ly/SyQ550Z90o3

Most U.S. teens are on social media every day, but few are receiving consistent, comprehensive education about how it shapes their lives.

foundry10's Digital Technologies and Education Lab, in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago, surveyed 1,027 high school students nationwide to understand what social media guidance teens are actually getting, who is delivering it, and what they wish were different.
Here is what the data shows:
📌 Only 1 in 5 teens discuss social media with parents on a weekly basis.
📌 72% of teens learned about dangers like cyberbullying, but only 57% learned about benefits.
📌Teens from lower-income households were less likely to receive instruction from teachers.

Read the full white paper: https://ow.ly/wXrV50Z6m0m

Auditions are often one of the most stressful parts of a theater program. But what if they were designed to help students learn and grow instead?

In this guest blog, Allison Abrahamse, Drama Club Director at Enumclaw High School, shares how her team reimagined auditions by giving students actionable feedback, opportunities to apply it, and multiple chances to demonstrate growth.

The result was more than stronger performances. Students built confidence, discovered new strengths, took greater ownership of their work, and learned from one another throughout the process.

Read the full blog: https://ow.ly/X1Lk50Z5pen

foundry10 researchers are heading to Brighton, United Kingdom as finalists in the Research and Design Challenge at the Interaction Design and Children (IDC) 2026 Conference, one of only three teams selected from submissions around the world.

Associate Researcher Riddhi Divanji, Program Developer Jayne Everson, Senior Researcher Travis W. Windleharth, and Graduate Student Researcher Aayushi Dangol will present their work on Thursday, June 25.

The project brought together a team of middle school youth and researchers to co-design an AI-powered robotic fish built to detect invasive Eurasian watermilfoil, combining robotics, 3D modeling, and AI classification with youth-centered, sustainability-focused learning. Their paper will be published in the IDC 2026 conference proceedings, with the winner and runner-up announced during the event.

Many Gen Z youth see entry-level jobs as a way to gain experience, build skills, and prepare for future careers. At the same time, many also described concerns about low pay, stressful work environments, and limited advancement opportunities.

In a new white paper, foundry10 researchers share findings from interviews with 30 youth ages 16-24 across the United States about their understanding of entry-level jobs and the hiring process.

The report explores:
• What youth want from their first jobs
• How young people think about soft skills and workplace success
• Concerns youth have about today’s job market
• How family expectations and personal experiences shape career decisions

Read the full report: https://ow.ly/E5yX50Z1Smu

At Baseball Beyond Borders, baseball and softball are helping youth build confidence, leadership, and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills that carry into everyday life.

The organization works with youth across King County through trauma-informed coaching, youth leadership opportunities, and culturally responsive programming designed to create spaces where young people feel supported both on and off the field.

foundry10 recently supported Baseball Beyond Borders as they expanded coach training and youth ambassador programming to strengthen long-term impact for youth across the Seattle area.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/ZQ5x50YZKvt

Youth athletes with ParaSport Spokane are leading wheelchair basketball programming in P.E. classes across eastern Washington.

Their work is helping more students engage with adaptive sports while creating space for youth with disabilities to lead, teach, and participate fully in school communities.

foundry10 is proud to support ParaSport Spokane’s efforts to expand adaptive sports programming and increase access to equipment and community-based opportunities.

Read more: https://ow.ly/T6AH50YVKGr