Ancient Cities of the Future Inspires Creativity, Sustainability, and Student Innovation in Brooklyn
On June 8, 2026, students, educators, artists, musicians, and community leaders gathered at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn for an unforgettable Ancient Cities of the Future Celebration, hosted in partnership with Global Lighthouse Studios.
The event brought together the worlds of art, sustainability, technology, storytelling, and environmental stewardship, inspiring students to imagine what future communities might look like while learning from the innovations of ancient civilizations.
The celebration followed a World Ocean Day beach clean-up at Coney Island and aligned with New York City Public Schools' Climate Action Day, highlighting the importance of clean water, healthy oceans, and community action.
Throughout the day, students participated in hands-on workshops led by an extraordinary group of artists and creative professionals.
Author, musician, and performer Melissa Campesi led engaging workshops in theater, movement, and creative expression, encouraging students to explore storytelling through performance and dance. Her energy and passion inspired students to use their voices, imagination, and creativity in new ways.
Contemporary artist and technologist Ethan Alexander Rainbolt shared insights into his work at the intersection of art, mapping, data visualization, technology, and storytelling. Students explored how maps have helped civilizations understand and navigate their world throughout history and how artists today use data, geography, and creative technologies to uncover new ways of seeing the connections between people, places, and cultures. His workshop encouraged students to think about the ways ancient and modern societies use information, design, and creativity to better understand the world around them.
Students were also treated to a memorable musical performance by acclaimed actress and singer Teresa Hui, who opened the celebration with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem before performing an original song. Her powerful performance set the tone for the day, bringing students, educators, and guests together in a shared celebration of creativity, community, and possibility.
A highlight of the day was a powerful keynote address from Stephen Ritz, founder of Green Bronx Machine and one of the world's most celebrated educators. Ritz energized the audience with his trademark enthusiasm, challenging students to recognize their potential as leaders, innovators, and changemakers while emphasizing the importance of community, sustainability, and believing in themselves.
The celebration showcased student-created artwork, sustainability projects, future city concepts, multimedia storytelling, and innovative ideas for creating healthier and more resilient communities. Through interdisciplinary learning experiences that connected history, art, technology, environmental stewardship, and design thinking, students demonstrated that they are not only learning about the future—they are helping create it.
The success of the event was made possible through the vision and leadership of Nancy Woods, Assistant Principal of the STEM and Arts Academies at John Dewey High School, Mashfiq Ahmed, Technology Teacher, and Donna Guerin, Founder and Executive Director of Global Lighthouse Studios. Together, they created an experience that empowered students to think boldly, collaborate creatively, and imagine solutions to real-world challenges.
The event also celebrated student achievement across multiple disciplines, including emerging arts, STEM programming, environmental stewardship, community storytelling, and youth leadership. Student projects explored the evolution of clean water systems from ancient civilizations to modern innovations, sustainable city design, food equity, and creative solutions to challenges facing communities today.
Ancient Cities of the Future stands as a powerful reminder that when students are given opportunities to create, explore, and connect with inspiring mentors, they can become the architects of a brighter and more sustainable future.
As Stephen Ritz reminded students throughout the day, the future belongs to those willing to grow, innovate, and lead with purpose—and the students of John Dewey High School demonstrated exactly what that future can look like.
"Where Arts and Innovation Light the Way."
Ancient Cities of the Future: Students Explore Water, Sustainability, and the World We Want to Build
From Ancient Rivers to Future Cities
On June 8, students, educators, families, and community partners will gather at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn, New York, for a special celebration of Ancient Cities of the Future, an interdisciplinary Global Lighthouse Studios initiative that invites young people to explore how ancient civilizations can inspire sustainable solutions for tomorrow.
Throughout the year, students have investigated the great river civilizations of the past from the Nile and Indus Rivers to Mesopotamia and beyond examining how access to water shaped communities, innovation, agriculture, and human progress. As they looked back at history, they also looked forward, imagining what future cities might need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
This year’s celebration comes at a meaningful time as we recognize both World Ocean Day and the importance of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
Taking Action for World Ocean Day
To kick off the celebration, students will participate in a beach clean-up at Coney Island, demonstrating that learning extends beyond the classroom and into the community. The event encourages students to become active stewards of our oceans while understanding the connection between healthy waterways, thriving communities, and a sustainable future.
By collecting litter, studying the impact of pollution, and reflecting on the role oceans play in our daily lives, students will experience firsthand how individual actions can contribute to global change.
The accompanying poster serves as a powerful reminder that every generation has a responsibility to protect one of our planet’s most precious resources.
Every Drop Matters. Every Action Counts.
Celebrating Creativity and Global Citizenship
The Ancient Cities of the Future celebration highlights student creativity through art, design, storytelling, music, and sustainability-focused projects. Students will showcase their visions for future communities that balance innovation, environmental responsibility, and human well-being.
At Global Lighthouse Studios, we believe that when students connect history, science, art, and real-world challenges, they become empowered to imagine and create a better future.
As we celebrate World Ocean Day and continue our journey through Ancient Cities of the Future, we invite everyone to reflect on a simple but powerful question:
What can we learn from the past to help us protect our water and build the sustainable cities of tomorrow?
Ancient Cities of the Future is a Global Lighthouse Studios initiative that connects students around the world through project-based learning, creativity, sustainability, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Where Arts and Innovation Light the Way.
Global Lighthouse Studios is excited to share that we have officially applied to be considered for the T4 Education Global EdTech Prize.
Over the past several years, GLS has had the incredible opportunity to work alongside students, educators, artists, and schools around the world using music, storytelling, sustainability, creativity, and innovation to help young people imagine and design a better future.
From Ancient Cities of the Future and global student podcasts to blues education, animation projects, sustainability initiatives, and student-led storytelling experiences, our work has always centered around one core belief: empowering student voice through meaningful, creative learning experiences.
As a growing global network, we are proud to create opportunities that connect classrooms across cultures while encouraging collaboration, curiosity, and innovation through the arts and interdisciplinary learning.
We are deeply grateful to every student, educator, school, artist, and partner who has been part of this journey so far, and we look forward to continuing to build global connections through education and innovation.
Rain in the Desert: A Las Vegas Soundscape
Another successful collaboration between the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, Thurman White Academy of Performing Arts, and Global Lighthouse Studios has brought student creativity to life through music and storytelling.
Led by orchestra teacher Kerry Dee Bennett, middle school students at Thurman White Academy created an original soundscape titled Rain in the Desert, inspired by the unique beauty and atmosphere of the Las Vegas landscape.
Through layered instrumentation and imaginative composition, students guide listeners on a musical journey as a storm rolls across the desert sky—thunder crashing in the distance before fading into a calm and beautiful sunset.
Projects like this highlight the power of arts education to encourage creativity, collaboration, and emotional expression while giving students authentic opportunities to compose and perform original work.
We are incredibly proud of these talented young musicians and the heart they poured into this performance.