ALLENTOWN, PA — The Allentown School District has been awarded a competitive 2026 National Moonshot Grant from Remake Learning to launch the Student-Led Global Policy Forum. Supported by grants that fund bold, non-traditional approaches to learning, this cross-state partnership with Denver Public Schools will connect high school students across Pennsylvania and Colorado to tackle pressing real-world challenges.
Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, each district will select a cohort of 5 to 10 high school students. Participants will engage in local learning before collaborating virtually with their cross-country peers to research critical global issues—including artificial intelligence, workforce development, and climate change. Working alongside educators, industry experts, and community leaders, students will draft actionable policy recommendations. The initiative will culminate in May 2027 with an in-person forum where cohorts present their solutions to civic leaders.
"This collaboration exemplifies the transformative power of cross-regional partnerships," said Dr. Carol D. Birks, Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer for the Allentown School District. "By uniting with Denver Public Schools, under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero, we are empowering our students to expand their perspectives, strengthen their leadership, and recognize that their voices can drive real change. Through hands-on inquiry, authentic research, and meaningful dialogue, our students will build relationships across regions as they collaborate to solve real-world challenges. We are deeply grateful to Remake Learning for investing in our collective vision. They are an integral partner in helping us create engaging learning experiences that prepare our students to think critically, collaborate across viewpoints, and step up as informed civic leaders equipped to shape the future."
Throughout the grant period, educators from both districts will share best practices with a national network dedicated to reimagining education. The project also advances Allentown’s strategic plan, Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030, by fostering student leadership, civic engagement, and career readiness, preparing students not just for graduation, but for leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.
More information: https://remakelearning.org/stories/announcing-the-2026-national-moonshot-grants/
About the Allentown School District
As Pennsylvania's fourth-largest school district, the Allentown School District serves approximately 16,000 students across 23 schools and four opportunity programs in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The district is dedicated to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and leadership under its strategic framework, Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030.
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