Our Future Is Science (OFIS) is an initiative of Aspen Institute Science & Society Program that aims to position societally minded youth as leaders and innovators who will push science forward in the 21st century.

High school mentees work to identify a problem in their community and apply the scientific process coupled with learnings from the OFIS Social Justice e-Library and insights from the OFIS Community Talk speakers, to design a science-based solution.

Exemplary 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 capstone topics include:

• Impacts of Poor-quality Housing in the NYC (South Bronx)

• Cancer Clusters Coldwater Creek (North St. Louis)

• Microplastics in South Florida

• The Environmental Impact of Redlining in Tacoma, Washington

• African Americans and the Criminal Justice System in Nashville, Tennessee

• Black Maternal and Child Health Pregnancy in Oakland, California