Futures studies

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/futures-studies

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the disciplinary nature?Interdisciplinary, holistic, and systematic study of social, technological, and environmental advancements
2. What is the primary methodological stance?Emphasis on systematically exploring alternative futures rather than single predictions
3. Why do people study futures?It helps us see many possible futures, not just one, so we can plan and avoid surprises.
4. How do futurists explore the future?They use tools like scenario planning, trend analysis, and expert panels to create stories about what might happen.

Foresight: The practice of systematically exploring potential futures to inform present-day strategy and decision-making.
Scenario Planning: A method for developing multiple plausible narratives of future possibilities based on key uncertainties.
Horizon Scanning: The process of identifying weak signals and emerging trends that could shape future developments.