Next Steps
Nest Family Nights
Families represent a critical component of school culture. Nest recognizes that parents and caregivers are already a large part of the school culture, and invites them to use their voices within the community to support students in their exploration and leadership skills.
Nest Family Nights, created in partnership with researchers at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, can serve as a powerful bridge between schools and families to discuss and collaborate on difficult issues that face their community. These after-school events are designed to occur after the curriculum in order to allow students to share what they've learned with family members.
The Nest team is here to help you organize a Nest Family Night!
Click below to download the Nest Family Night Guide.
Nest Clubs
Information and Guide Forthcoming
Nest Student Forums
Responding to the high level of engagement from students who have participated in the Nest Prevention Education Program, Nest launched Student Forums in May 2015. These public events offer a space for young people to bring their ideas and questions to local policymakers and leaders and grant parents, caregivers, business leaders, friends, and neighbors the opportunity to learn more about sexual violence against children and what can be done to stop it.
Given the crucial need to increase the number of adults that can identify signs of exploitation and provide appropriate support, our Nest Student Forums along with film screenings, and other community event bring experts to audiences and foster community dialogue, all while making sure youth voices are elevated.
To learn more about previous Nest Student Forums, visit nestfoundation.org/student-forums and check out the FAQ section below.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the goals of a Nest Student Forum?
The goals of these events are to:
• Bring conversations students have had into the classroom to their community.
• Hear real-world examples and anecdotes from experts to shed light on the realities of child sexual exploitation, including sexual abuse, sextortion, and trafficking.
•Discuss the role and impact of technology, sexting, and youth internet culture in creating or exacerbating vulnerability while emphasizing smart and informed use of technology rather than fear and shame.
•Hear from teenagers about what they have learned in the Nest Curriculum, what they feel is valuable and what is missing in their overall education, and to listen to their lived experiences, perceptions, ideas, and frustrations.
What is the format of a Nest Student Forum?
The event typically begins with brief remarks from several speakers. In the past, speakers have included, attorney generals, state senators, teachers, students performing spoken word, and other local leaders. One or two students from participating schools serve as emcees and introduce these intial speakers.
The event then flows into a moderated discussion between students, who are seated together at one table and expert panelists, who are seated at another table. The moderator starts the conversation by briefly introducing each panelist and then asking specific questions to kick things off. After that, the moderator facilitates a conversation among the student and expert panelists.
Following the moderated conversation, there is an audience Q+A. The evening ends with a call to action.
Who is the audience?
This event is open to the public and the audience usually includes high school students who have taken the Nest Curriculum and those that have not, high school teachers, parents/family members, representatives from local organizations, and the general public. We always appreciate help in getting the word out about these events!
Who is responsible for organizing these events?
Event logistics are handled by Nest but we do work with teachers to coordinate student participation and any other logistics, such as organizing buses/transport.
How many Nest Student Forums do you host?
We typically host one Nest Student Forum per school year in each city we are serving. These events take place either in Nov/Dec or Apr/May depending on the calendars of the schools we are working with. Each Nest Student Forum includes students representing all of the schools implementing the Nest Curriculum that school year.
Do you have any video or clips from other forums?
Please feel free to view and share highlights from the Nest Student Forum that took place in Dallas, TX in November 2016: https://youtu.be/QqiPYcJXWhU