Uprise Co-Founder and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Marco Ríos Bollinger, takes you on a journey to meet inspiring change-makers around the globe and guides you through a step-by-step process to find your own path toward building a better world. What are you waiting for?

  • Schedule

    Flexible online learning + live group sessions

  • Participants

    Participate alongside a group of diverse 14-19 year olds from around the country

  • Scholarships

    Can't pay? We approve 100% of scholarship requests. Apply here in <5 minutes.

Registration deadline: April 22 (Earth Day)

Register Now
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Let's Go!

Watch the Intro

How the Program Works

Here's what you'll get through this unique, experiential learning experience.

  • Watch professionally produced video lessons, including 4 mini documentary field trips

  • Participate alongside a group of peers with diverse backgrounds from across the country

  • Join 5 live sessions with the course facilitator and your peers

  • Complete assignments to boost your leadership skills and build a personal impact action plan

QUESTIONS

Want to learn more about the course, ask about a classroom license, or discuss ways to partner with us? Let's chat.

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Meet Your Instructor

Marco Ríos Bollinger

Co-Founder @ Uprise

Peruvian-American Marco Riós Bollinger has directed projects for the UN Refugee Agency, worked with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and photographed Beyoncé and Barack Obama. He’s produced award-winning social issue documentaries on subjects ranging from the plight of refugee kids (SAFE ZONE), the healing power of dance (Dance Is My Gun) to the impacts of tourism (2.5%). More recently he has moved to scale his empathy-building advocacy work by co-founding social enterprises Lokal Travel and Uprise.

What students are saying

“The course was fantastic. The videos are succinct, yet beautifully encapsulate emotions, skills, and stories in them. The assignments are equally great; they reinforce the knowledge shared in the videos and prompt you to think about your own experiences and ideas. Anyone taking this course will complete it with the tools they need to begin on their journey towards making a social impact.”

Rahul Yates, High School Junior, Los Angeles

“Captivating film editing, it looks super professional. Taking the course felt liberating. ”

Andrew Goldman, High School Sophomore, Los Angeles

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Chapter 1: Let's Get Started

  • 2

    Chapter 2: Understanding Your Passion & Purpose

  • 3

    Chapter 3: Defining Your Why

    • Introduction

    • Case Study: Lessons From an Old Peruvian Man

    • Exercise 3.1 Instructions: Write Your Why

    • Assignment 3.1 - Writing My Why

    • Exercise 3.2: Choose your North Star

    • Assignment 3.2 - Choose Your Northstar

    • Field Trip to Nepal: The Community Homestay Network

    • Assignment 3.3 - Field Trip Reflection

    • Assignment 3.4 - Taking Action

    • Assignment 3.5 - Writing Polish & Submission
  • 4

    Chapter 4: The Courage to Start & Keep Going

    • Introduction

    • Case Study: From Bankruptcy to Beyoncé

    • Exercise 1: Sources of Strength

    • Assignment 4.1 - Your Sources of Strength

    • Exercise 2: Approaching Everything As A Learning Experience

    • Assignment 4.2 - Approaching Everything As A Learning Experience

    • Field Trip to Mexico: Ancient Canals & Modern Resilience with Ricardo

    • Assignment 4.3 - Field Trip Review

    • Assignment 4.4 - Writing Polish & Submission
  • 5

    Chapter 5: Owning Your Story

    • Introduction

    • Case Study: Stepping Up for Syria's Refugees

    • Exercise 1: What's Your Story

    • Assignment 5.1 - What's Your Story

    • Assignment 5.2 - Tighten Up Your Bio

    • Exercise 2: Finding Community

    • Assignment 5.3 - Envisioning Your Ideal Community

    • Field Trip to Lebanon: Youth Refugees

    • Assignment 5.4 - Refugee Story Reflection

    • Assignment 5.5 - Writing Polish & Submission
  • 6

    Chapter 6: Mentors & Manifesting

    • Introduction

    • Exercise 1: Finding Advisors & Mentors

    • Assignment 6.1 - Research How to Participate

    • Exercise 2: Making the Ask

    • Assignment 6.2 - Clarifying Your Ask

    • Conclusion: The World Needs You!

    • Assignment 6.3 - The Journey Ahead

    • Assignment 6.4 - Writing Polish & Final Submission

This Class Makes an Impact

Uprise Scholarship Fund

At Uprise, we are committed to making our world-changing courses available to anyone and everyone so we approve every single scholarship request we receive. If you are able to pay for this course, know that 50% of the course fee you pay will help cover the course fees for those who can't afford it. The Scholarship Fund also helps us donate equipment - like laptops or simple VR glasses - to schools, nonprofits and families so they can get the most out of the Uprise learning experience.

Program Schedule

You'll watch the video lessons and do the assignments on your own time. And we'll come together for live sessions at these dates.

  • July 25th @ 5pm PT // 8PM ET - Program Kick Off

  • July 28th @ 5pm PT // 8PM ET - Session #1 - Your Why

  • August 1st @ 5pm PT // 8PM ET - Session #2 - Your Story

  • August 4th @ 5pm PT // 8PM ET - Session #3 - Your Support System

  • August 11th @ 5pm PT // 8PM ET - Your Action Plan

Request a Scholarship

We believe cost should never be a barrier to our courses so we approve 100% of requests. Just answer 2 quick questions and you are in!
Apply Now