DMA organizes the Global Innovation Race (GIR) summer camp, a unique experience for students aged 13 to 17 that combines technology visits to Silicon Valley, industry speakers, AI innovation workshops, and team challenges.

In partnership with schools, school districts, and international foundations, GIR brings together a diverse group from more than 10 countries, promoting global collaboration and empowering the next generation to thrive in a world driven by AI.

Students aged 13 to 17
Join peers from around the world to develop creativity and collaboration skills for a future shaped by AI.

Date: July 21 to July 31, 2025
Location: UC Berkeley
Fee: $6,500 (check for school group rates)
Registration Deadline: May 31, 2025

Contact: gir@digitalmediaacademy.org

Designed by Leading Educators 

Stanford Educator Glenn Fajardo

Glenn Fajardo

DMA Chief Learning Officer • Lecturer at Stanford d.school • Former Director of Co-Design Practice @ TechSoup

Glenn believes in the power of connection to spark creativity across distances and cultures. Teaching at Stanford’s d.school since 2014 and serving as the Distributed Learning Teaching Fellow in 2020, he explores how collaboration can thrive even when we’re apart.

With 14 years of experience in virtual collaboration spanning six continents, Glenn focuses on social impact work. Alongside Kursat Ozenc, he co-authored “Rituals for Virtual Meetings: Creative Ways to Engage People and Strengthen Relationships.” Previously, as the Director of the Co-Design Practice at TechSoup, Glenn championed technology’s potential for social change. Trained in nuclear engineering sciences and public policy, he also enjoys playing electric bass and cooking in others’ kitchens.

Andre Nudelman

CEO of DMA •  Entrepreneur in Residence at  Stanford University Graduate School of Education  Lemann Center

Andre Nudelman was appointed as Entrepreneur in Residence at Stanford University Graduate School of Education in September 2021 and in 2023 became the Entrepreneur in Residence at GSE Lemann Center. He has an extensive range of activities, including Private Equity with focus on Education, Entrepreneurship, Real Estate Investments, Agriculture, Art Collection, Non-profit organizations, and volunteer activities.

Beside co-teaching the Lytics Seminar at Stanford (GSE-EDUC 407, GSBGID307 and CS407), Mr. Nudelman has been invited to present at summits, seminars, conventions, and at Stanford multiple courses, UC Berkeley and Harvard Graduate School of Education.

You’ll learn through hands-on, immersive experiences…

Cross-Cultural Teams
Seminars
Prototyping with AI
Workshops
Creative Stretches
Guest Speakers
Guest Speakers
Educational Trips
Educational Trips

Here students will

  • Move out of your comfort zone, learning social thinking and networking skills as you learn to collaborate with diverse cultures and build trust and safety in groups.

  • Get real-world experience using design thinking to create a human-centered solution to a pressing world problem and bring your idea to life with the guidance of  mentors and industry experts.

  • Learn how to think like an entrepreneur to create compelling, sustainable value as an innovator and how to effectively communicate the value of your ideas through storytelling.

  • Work in small cross-cultural teams to build prototypes addressing meaningful problems, connect globally, and interact with Silicon Valley professionals. Teams also create project video stories for screening at the GIR Film Fest Finale.

  • Leave inspired, with an international network of lifelong friends and fellow innovators.

DMA has impacted over 500,000 students since 1999. Now it’s your turn!

With developing three key skills in mind..

Design Thinking

Design Thinking

You will explore the core skills of Design Thinking, delving into human-centered design to understand people’s needs deeply. You’ll learn to switch between different types of thinking—divergent and convergent—during your creative process, a key skill in problem-solving.

Iteration will become your ally as you tackle challenges, helping you shape problems and craft effective solutions. And through the principle of “building to think,” you’ll bring your ideas to life, refining them in real-time, seeing how they transform and improve along the way. It’s all about hands-on learning and watching your creativity evolve.

Social Thinking

Social Thinking

You’ll tackle the challenge of building social skills in our tech-centric world. Through collaborative activities, you’ll learn the art of trust and safety within groups.

We’ll guide you in embracing vulnerability and transparency, transforming interactions from awkwardness to openness. By the end, you’ll leave with more than just newfound skills. You’ll have an international network of lifelong friends and fellow innovators, all thanks to your enhanced ability to connect and collaborate.

Entrepreneurial Thinking

Entrepreneurial Thinking

In this rapidly changing world, it’s crucial to know how to create compelling, sustainable value in any field. The key is to think like an entrepreneur. You’ll explore market potentials, craft robust value propositions, and pave the way toward financial sustainability.

But that’s not all. You’ll also delve into the art of sales and marketing, equipping yourself with the tools to eloquently convey the value of your ideas. These skills will be your bridge to success, allowing you to not only create value but effectively communicate it to the world.

Hear from our alumni…

Student Reflections

Creating with AI

  • “I used to think AI would replace humans, now I think AI is an amazing tool we can use with us to combat global challenges.”
  • “I used to think that AI was a thing of the future. Now I know that it is present in almost everything we do and it is constantly developing and improving itself for the future.”
  • “I used to think AI was confusing and hard to use, but now I think it has the power to solve real world problems.”
  • “I used to think AI was only used for cheating, now I think that it’s a good powerful tool.”
  • “I used to think computer science was dull but now I realized that it’s interesting.”

Social Confidence

  • “I used to never put myself out there. Now I think I can if I set my mind to it.”
  • “I used to think I wasn’t meant to fly with a big friend group. But now I think on all the memories we made together.”
  • “I used to think I was shy. Now I think I’m not at all :-)”
  • “I used to think that people would judge me for everything I’d do. Now I think that people are a lot nicer than I give them credit for.”
  • “I used to think good friends didn’t exist. But now I think otherwise.”

“I’m a Global Innovator”

  • “I used to think I could never solve a world problem. Now I believe I am capable of making a difference.”
  • “I used to think making a prototype would be difficult. Now I think it is a fun and engaging process anyone can do.”
  • “I used to think creating a project in two days is impossible, but I think it’s possible.”
  • “I used to think building a prototype can take about a year, but we built it in one day.”
  • “I used to think I wasn’t going to attend something this big. Now I know I can :-)”

Teamwork and Collaboration Skills

  • “I used to think working with others is just a way to make me exhausted, but now I think it gives me more opportunities.”
  • “I used to think that leading a team is the only way to make a project well done, but now I think coworking is more important and sharing ideas is much more important.”
  • “I used to think team projects aren’t easy, but now I think it’s much easier.”
  • “I used to think working together was hard and now I think it’s just more about communication.”
  • “I used to think being solo is easier, now I think that if done right, teamwork is good!”

Teacher testimonials

  • Ana Luna – Los Angeles Unified School District

  • Naseem Naghdi – Oxnard Union High School District

  • Caitlan Arakawa – San Bernardino City Unified School District

  • Chris Petriccione – San Bernardino City Unified School District

  • Richard Harrison – Beijing World Youth Academy

  • Sonny Sajor – Oxnard Union High School District

  • Christian Thompson – International School of the Sacred Heart, Japan

  • Gabriel Baziramwabo – Rwanda Coding Academy

  • Carrene Smalling – Hillel Academy, Jamaica

  • Arleen Rodriguez – Los Angeles Unified School District

 

Guest Speakers

Student Testimonials

Q&A

Participants do not require prior knowledge of emerging technology, coding, innovation, design thinking, social thinking or entrepreneurial thinking processes to attend the program, but having experience with these skills and knowledge can be beneficial..

No, Global Innovation Race is not a credit-barring course, however, provides invaluable, once-on-a-lifetime experiences for students that will carry them into their 21st-century life and work.

Unfortunately, we don’t provide this service.

Yes, Individual registration form:
https://share.hsforms.com/1dqhkjCZTT4KJuQ1AAc-WVw3dgch

English is the language of instruction for Global Innovation Race. Students should be able to read, write, and speak English. Students who want to join our programs must have a level of English sufficient to participate and be successful in the learning process. If students do not consider themselves fluent in English, we do not advise them to join our classes. If you are unsure if you are “fluent” in English or not, please take the following test: https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/content. You should be at a B2 level to be considered “fluent” in English.

If groups without sufficient English language would like to discuss alternative translation services or innovative solutions to participation, we are always open to hearing from you by email at gir@digitalmediaacademy.org.

Yes, please contact info@digitalmediaacademy.org

Yes, students will use their mobile devices as a form of video capture. We use video capture as a medium for storytelling and learning. Students must bring a laptop or tablet to work on their projects.

We will send you an onboarding package two months before the camp starts to help you prepare for your trip. This package will include the Waiver, Medical Form, on boarding information for students and chaperones. Additionally, you will receive a detailed student behavior and guidance handbook.

Yes, we recommend that students bring some cash for the three off-campus meals during the tour, as well as a credit card for the laundry app and any additional personal needs.

Chaperones are responsible for the holistic care for the students they bring to the Global Innovation Race. Digital Media Academy’s role is to facilitate and provide learning opportunities and experiences for the students. Chaperones will be responsible for ensuring punctual attendance, maintaining student behavior expectations, transporting students between locations, and supervising students during meals, excursions, and while at the accommodation (including on-call through the night). Digital Media Academy will work closely with the Chaperones, including providing a mandatory pre-departure briefing meeting to ensure student safety and well-being during the program and adherence to program policy. Chaperones will also be welcomed into the learning process and support the delivery of different learning activities as they feel comfortable.

School groups consisting of at least five students are eligible to bring one chaperone. The program will cover the chaperone’s meals (except 3 meals, as we will be on tours during these days), accommodations, local transportation, and tour tickets. The cost of the chaperone’s airfare is not included in the coverage.

Program fees are refundable as follows:

  1. If DMA cancels the program because of low enrollment:
    1. On or before December 31, 2024 — Full refund.
    2. On or before May 31, 2025 — Full refund.
    3. On or after June 01, 2025 — Not applicable. DMA will not cancel this program after June 01, 2025
  2. If at any time before or during the program, DMA cancels the Program because it cannot operate for reasons beyond its control (i.e., a reason included in the Force Majeure clause – COVID-19 restrictions would be an example of a Force Majeure/Act of God in this instance), the client shall be given the option of a 50% refund or 75% credit toward any future program operated by Digital Media Academy that begins within 12 months of the Program’s start date.
  3. If you cancel your student(s) enrollment:
    1. On or before December 31, 2024 — Full Refund.
    2. On or before May 31, 2025 — 50% refund or 75% credit usable within 12 months toward any future program operated by Digital Media Academy that begins within 12 months of the Program’s start date.
    3. On or after June 01, 2025 — No refund and no credit given except with a doctor’s note and/or extenuating circumstances, then 25% refund or 50% credit usable within 12 months.

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