On April 5, 2025, ACS Athens proudly hosted the NESA Learning Futures Summit, welcoming international educators and thought leaders to explore forward-thinking practices in teaching and learning. Among the standout sessions was the dynamic and thought-provoking workshop “Media in the Wild: Where Ecology Meets Media,” presented by John Papadakis, ACS Athens Director of Enrollment Management, Media Productions & Technology, in collaboration with Ivy Yan and Abril Soewarso-Rivera, experts in digital media and sustainability education.

This two-hour experiential session introduced educators to the emerging field of ecomedia literacy—an interdisciplinary and hands-on approach that merges media literacy with ecological awareness, encouraging students and teachers alike to consider the environmental, emotional, and societal dimensions of the media we consume and create.

Through an engaging mix of fieldwork, photography, poetry, video, and audio exercises, participants were guided through hands-on, reflective activities that deepened their understanding of how media shapes our perception of the natural world—and how it can also be a powerful tool to foster connection with nature and inspire responsible digital citizenship.

Educators collaborated in small groups to design meaningful classroom activities that wove together creativity, critical thinking, and sustainability. From role-playing exercises that examined diverse perspectives on eco-focused media, to real-time analysis of media captured in the school’s surrounding environment, attendees left the workshop equipped with practical, adaptable strategies for immediate implementation in their schools.

This presentation resonated strongly with the summit’s central themes of innovation, connection, and conscious learning, and reinforced ACS Athens’ commitment to leading educational conversations that blend ethics, creativity, and real-world relevance.