Our Worlds Connect
Our Worlds Connect is a project designed to build relationships between high school students from different communities through a series of environmentally based community building experiences. These experiences are designed to immerse students in a common experience and provide opportunities for students to share their perspectives. The relationships they cultivate during this collaboration give students a better understanding of each other and prepares them to act in ways that create a more just, sustainable, and peaceful community.
Guiding Questions
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How does a shared experience create relationships?
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How do relationships create a bridge?
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How does our environment shape our perspective?
Objectives
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Bring students from different communities together to have a shared experience
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Encourage dialogue that develops an understanding of diverse perspectives
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Build relationships that lead to empowerment for individuals and communities

Project Origin
In 2017 this project was launched when educators, in collaboration with the Cumming Nature Center and Headwater Food Hub, brought together students from a rural and city school, Naples High School and World of Inquiry School for a common plate lunch.. Over the course of two years students met up for a city scavenger hunt, shadowing at each other’s schools, and a three day retreat in Ithaca.
In 2021 this project was revived when, facilitated by the original organizers, educators from Walden School New York in Naples and Early College International High School in Rochester came together to connect their students during the 2021-22 school year.
Read More About the Early College and Walden Collaboration
Current Collaborations
This year students from East High School’s Teaching and Learning Institute and RMSC’s Walden Project have had their first meeting at the Burrough’s Audubon Nature Center and are planning at least 2 more collaborations.
We are still seeking schools for additional collaborations. Read more here.

Join Our Community of Supporters
Our Community of Supporters
- RMSC Walden Project
- Rochester Early College International High School
- East High School Teaching and Learning Institute
- Learning for Justice
- RMSC Cumming Nature Center
- Headwater Food Hub
- Wegmans Food Markets
- Burroughs Audubon Nature Center
- Living is Learning