The GEM Lab For Youth — Flourish51
Flourish51 · Life Design Studio

The GEM Lab
For Youth

Grow. Explore. Make.

A dedicated space for young people to explore their unique strengths and design lives aligned with their most authentic selves.

In the Life Design Lab, young people engage in hands-on design sprints to co-create and test ways they can deploy their strengths to experience flourishing lives at school, at home and in their communities.

View All Sprints → How It Works
❄️
Winter Sprint
Life Design Foundations
Illumination
🌿
Spring Sprint
Life Design for Creativity
Ideation & Possibility
☀️
Summer Sprint
Life Design in Action
Prototyping & Innovation
🍂
Fall Sprint
Life Design Mastery
Integration & Next Steps

In the Life Design Lab, young people engage in hands-on design sprints to co-create and test ways they can deploy their strengths to experience flourishing lives at school, at home and in their communities.

Four Seasonal Sprints

Choose your season to begin

Each sprint stands alone — join one, some, or all four across the year. Every sprint is 4 sessions of 2 hours each (8 hours of live learning).

Winter Sprint
Life Design Foundations
Illumination
A 4-week experience in self-awareness, strengths, and meaningful reflection.
The Winter Sprint is a stand-alone introduction to Life Design — perfect for any young person who wants to understand themselves better, strengthen emotional intelligence, and learn the foundations of flourishing.
Who it's for
Youth ages 11–14 who want to build confidence, deepen self-awareness, and develop emotional and social intelligence.
Program Dates & Schedule
Four 2-hour sessions: Feb. 21 & 28; March 7 & 14, 2026
  • 8 hours of live learning via Zoom
  • Sessions take place on Saturdays from 10:00am–12:00pm ET
Program Cost $340
Enroll Now →
Spring Sprint
Life Design for Creativity
Ideation & Possibility
A 1-week creativity accelerator for students ready to explore possibilities for their life and future.
The Spring Sprint stands alone as an energizing, creativity-boosting program for youth who want to expand their imagination and explore the many "possible selves" they could grow into.
Who it's for
Youth ages 9–14 who are curious, creative, stuck, or simply ready to try something new.
Program Dates & Schedule
Four 2-hour sessions: March 30 – April 2, 2026
  • 8 hours of live learning via Zoom
  • Sessions take place Monday–Thursday from 10:00am–12:00pm ET
Program Cost $340
Enroll Now →
Summer Sprint
Life Design in Action
Prototyping & Innovation
A 1-week hands-on program for testing ideas, trying new things, and learning by doing.
The Summer Sprint is a stand-alone experience designed for students who love to build, experiment, try new activities, or explore hobbies and interests before committing to them.
Who it's for
Youth ages 9–14 who learn best by doing, and those seeking clarity about their interests through real-world experimentation.
Program Dates & Schedule
Four 2-hour sessions: Aug. 17–20, 2026
  • 8 hours of live learning (this is an in-person sprint)
  • Sessions take place Monday–Thursday from 10:00am–12:00pm ET
In-Person Sprint
Program Cost $340
Enroll Now →
Fall Sprint
Life Design Mastery
Integration & Next Steps
A 4-week capstone for students seeking clarity and direction for the months ahead.
The Fall Sprint is designed for students who have already attended one or more seasonal sprints and now want to organize their ideas, clarify their direction, and intentionally plan their next steps.
Who it's for
Youth ages 11–14 who want clarity, structure, and confidence as they make decisions about school, goals, or life choices.
Program Dates & Schedule
Four 2-hour sessions: Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 2026
  • 8 hours of live learning via Zoom
  • Sessions take place Saturdays from 10:00am–12:00pm ET
Program Cost $340
Enroll Now →
The GEM Lab Method

How it works

01
🔍
Discover Your Strengths
Every sprint begins with self-discovery. Fellows explore their character strengths, values, and what makes them uniquely themselves.
02
💡
Design & Ideate
Through guided design sprints and creative exercises, students generate bold ideas and explore possibilities for their lives and communities.
03
🛠️
Build & Prototype
Fellows test their ideas through hands-on making, experimentation, and real-world feedback — learning by doing, not just listening.
04
🚀
Integrate & Launch
Each sprint closes with clear next steps — a direction, a plan, or a prototype — that students carry into their daily lives with confidence.
GEM
Grow · Explore · Make
"We believe every young person already has what it takes. The GEM Lab is where they learn to see it — and use it."
4
Seasonal Sprints
8h
Per Sprint
9–14
Age Range
$340
Per Sprint
Program Leadership
Sharyn Tenn
Founder & Design Lead · Flourish51

Sharyn Tenn is a certified educator and designer with expertise in international affairs, human-centered design, well-being science, and youth development.

The GEM Lab is supported by a team of project managers, coaches, mentors, and local partners. Fellows receive group mentorship, guided coaching, and structured feedback throughout each sprint. The environment emphasizes encouragement, collaboration, and growth.

Ready to Begin
Choose your sprint.
Start your journey.

Each sprint stands alone — enroll in one or join all four across the year. Spots are limited and fill quickly.

See All Sprints → Contact Us
GEM Lab Youth
Grow · Explore · Make · Flourish51
The Four Sprints How It Works Leadership Enroll Now
Part of Flourish51
Washington, DC Metro Area
Design with Soul · Ages 9–14
flourish51.com
© 2026 Flourish51 · GEM Lab for Youth Design with Soul · Grow with Purpose