The New York Times has been posting fresh writing prompts every school day for over a decade now, and every so often they create a themed collection like this one. Over the next few episodes, the 5th-Grade Futurists will be talking about the intersection between technology and the lives of kids like them. We hope they’ll inspire you to consider these issues and reflect by Tweeting us back at @GMcKinney2. So dive in and listen to the answers these students have come up with to the questions that have most inspired us to reflect on who we are and what we believe.

Circuses must STOP animal cruelty now. Here in Michigan, the United States, and the world. Listen to these 5th graders explain why. Episode cover art by Olivia C.

Have you ever thought about starting your own podcast? In this episode, our 5th-grade Futurists will explain how they got their start, and how you can too!

It's Shark Week in Room 14! For the Fifth-Grade Futurists 10th episode, we take on the topic of sharks: friend or foe? Do we have more to fear from them, or them from us? You be the judge after listening to Evan, Owen, and Faith explain why they think these apex predators are nothing more than cute and cuddly critters!

Today, the fifth grade futurists will take you on a journey below the sea... Well, at least to Sea World.... And there, they will share with you their opinion on whether or not Orca Whales should be kept in captivity and forced to entertain us. Spoiler alert! They don't think that they should. Listen to find out about the united nations' global goals for a better future, specifically looking at life below water and learn about the conditions that our gentle giant friends are forced to endure.

From poisoning and injuring marine life to harming human health, from littering our beaches and landscapes to clogging our waste streams and landfills, the exponential growth of plastics is now threatening the survival of our planet. In episode 008, we'll learn about how we can and should be innovating the way we use single-use plastic bags from 5th-grade experts Eric, Chloe, and Ellison.

In this latest episode of The 5th-Grade Futurists, you'll hear a creative take on the traditional classroom podcast. Instead of a scripted conversation, you'll hear Ryan, Roberto, and Ekaansh debate off the cuff about the impact of plastics on the environment, and the alternatives that may usher in a better future!

The latest episode of The 5th-Grade Futurists includes passionate interviews with Chase, Saanvi, Olivia, and Colin. They will be discussing zoos and the potential harm that they can cause. It will make you rethink your next family outing for sure!

In episode 005, we'll learn about how we can save the animals we love such as tigers, otters, and blue macaws, by preserving life on land. Our 5th-grade experts featured in this episode are Colin, Ellison, Chloe, and Chase. 

In today's episode, you will hear 5th-grade students who were asked to research a topic close to their heart, and become an advocate for change through their agency. In episode 004, we'll hear from Michael, Van, and Faith, who have done some research into the UN's global goals for sustainable development surrounding health and well-being.