Octavia Project
@octaviaproject.bsky.social
The Octavia Project uses the creative power of science fiction and community to envision new futures and greater possibilities for our world. We foster spaces of imagination and exploration for teens and tweens in Brooklyn.
This summer, our middle school Camp visited the Pratt Dye Garden for an indigo dyeing workshop. This workshop is an example of how our programs teach science through art, technology and storytelling. Personal connection and creative expression can break down barriers and increase confidence in STEM.
November 24, 2025 at 2:02 PM
This summer, our middle school Camp visited the Pratt Dye Garden for an indigo dyeing workshop. This workshop is an example of how our programs teach science through art, technology and storytelling. Personal connection and creative expression can break down barriers and increase confidence in STEM.
This month we welcomed four young writers to the Constellations Mentorship, where they will work one on one with professional authors from Brooklyn Speculative Fiction Writers to refine a piece of flash fiction, and work towards publication!
🔮We can't wait to experience their worlds🔭
🔮We can't wait to experience their worlds🔭
November 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM
This month we welcomed four young writers to the Constellations Mentorship, where they will work one on one with professional authors from Brooklyn Speculative Fiction Writers to refine a piece of flash fiction, and work towards publication!
🔮We can't wait to experience their worlds🔭
🔮We can't wait to experience their worlds🔭
Inspired by the traditional Indian textile art of kalamkari, Institute participants created artworks sharing stories about themselves and their communities.
After exploring the history of kalamkari, participants engaged the traditional process by using a kalam to draw onto fabric with natural dyes.
After exploring the history of kalamkari, participants engaged the traditional process by using a kalam to draw onto fabric with natural dyes.
November 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Inspired by the traditional Indian textile art of kalamkari, Institute participants created artworks sharing stories about themselves and their communities.
After exploring the history of kalamkari, participants engaged the traditional process by using a kalam to draw onto fabric with natural dyes.
After exploring the history of kalamkari, participants engaged the traditional process by using a kalam to draw onto fabric with natural dyes.
🎉 We're thrilled to share that we've received funding from the Stonewall Community Foundation 🎉
The Stonewall Community Foundation funds work that makes differences on issues affecting LGBTQ+ lives.
As queer and trans youth face additional challenges, the Octavia Project is deepening supports.
The Stonewall Community Foundation funds work that makes differences on issues affecting LGBTQ+ lives.
As queer and trans youth face additional challenges, the Octavia Project is deepening supports.
November 7, 2025 at 4:04 PM
🎉 We're thrilled to share that we've received funding from the Stonewall Community Foundation 🎉
The Stonewall Community Foundation funds work that makes differences on issues affecting LGBTQ+ lives.
As queer and trans youth face additional challenges, the Octavia Project is deepening supports.
The Stonewall Community Foundation funds work that makes differences on issues affecting LGBTQ+ lives.
As queer and trans youth face additional challenges, the Octavia Project is deepening supports.
💭How can natural forms shift into other things we know? Into what we don't yet know?🤔
Summer Camp participants created biomorphic ceramic sculptures of characters or objects in their speculative worlds; transforming nature through abstraction, surrealism, and fantasy!
Summer Camp participants created biomorphic ceramic sculptures of characters or objects in their speculative worlds; transforming nature through abstraction, surrealism, and fantasy!
October 31, 2025 at 1:04 PM
💭How can natural forms shift into other things we know? Into what we don't yet know?🤔
Summer Camp participants created biomorphic ceramic sculptures of characters or objects in their speculative worlds; transforming nature through abstraction, surrealism, and fantasy!
Summer Camp participants created biomorphic ceramic sculptures of characters or objects in their speculative worlds; transforming nature through abstraction, surrealism, and fantasy!
This summer, Institute participants coded interactive narratives, blending what they learned in our hand on workshops with their own speculative ideas. These games take many 👽speculative shapes👻. Dive into an adventure here: https://www.octaviaproject.org/2025/08/14/twine-games-from-summer-2025/
October 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
This summer, Institute participants coded interactive narratives, blending what they learned in our hand on workshops with their own speculative ideas. These games take many 👽speculative shapes👻. Dive into an adventure here: https://www.octaviaproject.org/2025/08/14/twine-games-from-summer-2025/
Two months ago, the Center for Art, Research and Alliances hosted our Summer Showcase where participants shared their writing, artworks, and games with relatives, friends, and OP supporters.
If you’re looking to relive the magic, you can watch the entirety of our Summer Showcase the ✨link in bio✨
If you’re looking to relive the magic, you can watch the entirety of our Summer Showcase the ✨link in bio✨
October 15, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Two months ago, the Center for Art, Research and Alliances hosted our Summer Showcase where participants shared their writing, artworks, and games with relatives, friends, and OP supporters.
If you’re looking to relive the magic, you can watch the entirety of our Summer Showcase the ✨link in bio✨
If you’re looking to relive the magic, you can watch the entirety of our Summer Showcase the ✨link in bio✨
🍂It may be fall, but we're thinking back to summer☀️ Our summer of fun, learning, and community could not happen without our Program Assistant who is wearing this cozy sweatshirt from Phenomenal Media.
Thanks for the cute sweatshirts, Phenomenal Media! Our team and participants love them.
Thanks for the cute sweatshirts, Phenomenal Media! Our team and participants love them.
October 9, 2025 at 3:20 PM
🍂It may be fall, but we're thinking back to summer☀️ Our summer of fun, learning, and community could not happen without our Program Assistant who is wearing this cozy sweatshirt from Phenomenal Media.
Thanks for the cute sweatshirts, Phenomenal Media! Our team and participants love them.
Thanks for the cute sweatshirts, Phenomenal Media! Our team and participants love them.
🎉 We reached our goal 🎉
With your critical support, we’ll be launching our Youth Advisory Board this fall! We're eager to learn with and from our alums, many who are bearing additional challenges, and deepen our support.
We can’t wait to introduce you to our inaugural board members!
With your critical support, we’ll be launching our Youth Advisory Board this fall! We're eager to learn with and from our alums, many who are bearing additional challenges, and deepen our support.
We can’t wait to introduce you to our inaugural board members!
September 18, 2025 at 5:55 PM
🎉 We reached our goal 🎉
With your critical support, we’ll be launching our Youth Advisory Board this fall! We're eager to learn with and from our alums, many who are bearing additional challenges, and deepen our support.
We can’t wait to introduce you to our inaugural board members!
With your critical support, we’ll be launching our Youth Advisory Board this fall! We're eager to learn with and from our alums, many who are bearing additional challenges, and deepen our support.
We can’t wait to introduce you to our inaugural board members!
🚨Last day to support our Youth Advisory Board🚨
We’re about $600 away from our goal!
Help us cross the finish line today! https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
We’re about $600 away from our goal!
Help us cross the finish line today! https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
September 12, 2025 at 4:10 PM
🚨Last day to support our Youth Advisory Board🚨
We’re about $600 away from our goal!
Help us cross the finish line today! https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
We’re about $600 away from our goal!
Help us cross the finish line today! https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
📣We’ve extended our fundraising deadline to September 12!📣
OP community members like are helping us get our Youth Advisory Board off the ground. Help us raise another $1,750 to expand our programs and add new systems of support for our alums. https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
OP community members like are helping us get our Youth Advisory Board off the ground. Help us raise another $1,750 to expand our programs and add new systems of support for our alums. https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
September 9, 2025 at 3:20 PM
📣We’ve extended our fundraising deadline to September 12!📣
OP community members like are helping us get our Youth Advisory Board off the ground. Help us raise another $1,750 to expand our programs and add new systems of support for our alums. https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
OP community members like are helping us get our Youth Advisory Board off the ground. Help us raise another $1,750 to expand our programs and add new systems of support for our alums. https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
‼️ 2 DAYS LEFT!
This fall, we're launching our Youth Advisory Board with alumni from across our 11 years of programming!
We need to raise $6K by 8/29 to launch this alumni leadership initiative. Help us cross the finish line by DONATING NOW! https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
This fall, we're launching our Youth Advisory Board with alumni from across our 11 years of programming!
We need to raise $6K by 8/29 to launch this alumni leadership initiative. Help us cross the finish line by DONATING NOW! https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
August 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
‼️ 2 DAYS LEFT!
This fall, we're launching our Youth Advisory Board with alumni from across our 11 years of programming!
We need to raise $6K by 8/29 to launch this alumni leadership initiative. Help us cross the finish line by DONATING NOW! https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
This fall, we're launching our Youth Advisory Board with alumni from across our 11 years of programming!
We need to raise $6K by 8/29 to launch this alumni leadership initiative. Help us cross the finish line by DONATING NOW! https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
📣 We have 4 more days to reach our $6,000 goal by 8/29! Together, we can launch our Youth Advisory Board and center the voices of OP alumni! Join us in supporting young leaders like our Teaching Fellows.
👆 Make a gift today and support this critical work through the link in our bio 👆
👆 Make a gift today and support this critical work through the link in our bio 👆
August 25, 2025 at 11:02 AM
📣 We have 4 more days to reach our $6,000 goal by 8/29! Together, we can launch our Youth Advisory Board and center the voices of OP alumni! Join us in supporting young leaders like our Teaching Fellows.
👆 Make a gift today and support this critical work through the link in our bio 👆
👆 Make a gift today and support this critical work through the link in our bio 👆
📣 We're halfway to the $6K we need to fund our new Youth Advisory Board! This leadership initiative will center the voices of OP alumni, including Fellows like Xylon.
Ready to support the next generation? Help us make our goal by 8/29! https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
Ready to support the next generation? Help us make our goal by 8/29! https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
August 22, 2025 at 11:02 AM
📣 We're halfway to the $6K we need to fund our new Youth Advisory Board! This leadership initiative will center the voices of OP alumni, including Fellows like Xylon.
Ready to support the next generation? Help us make our goal by 8/29! https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
Ready to support the next generation? Help us make our goal by 8/29! https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
We’re trying to raise $6,000 by 8/29 to fund our new Youth Advisory Board, and we’re almost halfway to our goal! Can you help us get there with a donation today? https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
August 19, 2025 at 11:25 AM
We’re trying to raise $6,000 by 8/29 to fund our new Youth Advisory Board, and we’re almost halfway to our goal! Can you help us get there with a donation today? https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
Last night, we celebrated a new generation of OP alumni at our Summer Showcase! To keep serving them year-round, we're launching our Youth Advisory Board this fall.
Can you help us raise $6K by 8/29 for our alumni leadership initiative? https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
Can you help us raise $6K by 8/29 for our alumni leadership initiative? https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
August 15, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Last night, we celebrated a new generation of OP alumni at our Summer Showcase! To keep serving them year-round, we're launching our Youth Advisory Board this fall.
Can you help us raise $6K by 8/29 for our alumni leadership initiative? https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
Can you help us raise $6K by 8/29 for our alumni leadership initiative? https://donorbox.org/build-our-youth-advisory-board
Our Institute participants are using the open-source tool Twine to code story-based games this week—and guess what? If you attend our Summer Showcase at CARA (225 W. 13th St in Manhattan), which kicks off at 5:30 PM this Thursday, you’ll get a chance to play some of them!
Hope to see you there!
Hope to see you there!
August 12, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Our Institute participants are using the open-source tool Twine to code story-based games this week—and guess what? If you attend our Summer Showcase at CARA (225 W. 13th St in Manhattan), which kicks off at 5:30 PM this Thursday, you’ll get a chance to play some of them!
Hope to see you there!
Hope to see you there!
Our Institute participants became community scientists this week at Billion Oyster Project! They gained experience supporting NYC's best “ecosystem engineers”: the oysters that boost ecological resilience by fostering biodiversity, filtering water, & acting as natural storm barriers.
August 8, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Our Institute participants became community scientists this week at Billion Oyster Project! They gained experience supporting NYC's best “ecosystem engineers”: the oysters that boost ecological resilience by fostering biodiversity, filtering water, & acting as natural storm barriers.
The OP gives students an opportunity to meet professionals working in creative & STEM fields. Last week, Institute participants visited Gather, a collective that brings together professional writers, to gain networking experience & insight into writing-related career paths.
August 5, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The OP gives students an opportunity to meet professionals working in creative & STEM fields. Last week, Institute participants visited Gather, a collective that brings together professional writers, to gain networking experience & insight into writing-related career paths.
Our Institute participants are building new worlds with guidance from @nkjemisin.bsky.social! Through the lens of mythmaking, students examined what our collective stories communicate about power and social roles. How can we subvert existing myths and craft new narratives?
August 1, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Our Institute participants are building new worlds with guidance from @nkjemisin.bsky.social! Through the lens of mythmaking, students examined what our collective stories communicate about power and social roles. How can we subvert existing myths and craft new narratives?
Urban ecology is a major theme of this year's Institute. On Science Day, participants designed their own terrariums with a guest teacher from BK ROT (bkrot.org), NYC's first bike-powered food waste hauling and composting service! 🌿🪨🪲
July 29, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Urban ecology is a major theme of this year's Institute. On Science Day, participants designed their own terrariums with a guest teacher from BK ROT (bkrot.org), NYC's first bike-powered food waste hauling and composting service! 🌿🪨🪲
We’re continuing our explorations of the city around us with urban planning workshops at the Institute. Through sharing real and speculative stories about the impact of rising temperatures on on urban environments, we’re working together to imagine cities of the future. 🌇
July 25, 2025 at 11:02 AM
We’re continuing our explorations of the city around us with urban planning workshops at the Institute. Through sharing real and speculative stories about the impact of rising temperatures on on urban environments, we’re working together to imagine cities of the future. 🌇
At the OP, New York City is our classroom! Last week, guest teachers in architecture and urban planning helped Camp participants discover the ✨everyday magic✨ present in their communities with generative mapping exercises, model building, and observations of public spaces.
July 22, 2025 at 11:02 AM
At the OP, New York City is our classroom! Last week, guest teachers in architecture and urban planning helped Camp participants discover the ✨everyday magic✨ present in their communities with generative mapping exercises, model building, and observations of public spaces.
Speculative fiction lets us enter realms beyond our own world. On a field trip to the Museum of Arts and Design, our Campers visited the "Empathic Universe" of artist Saya Woolfalk, who uses fantastical worldbuilding techniques to bring new beings & immersive landscapes to life.
July 18, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Speculative fiction lets us enter realms beyond our own world. On a field trip to the Museum of Arts and Design, our Campers visited the "Empathic Universe" of artist Saya Woolfalk, who uses fantastical worldbuilding techniques to bring new beings & immersive landscapes to life.
We’re just one month away from our Summer Showcase! Every year, we celebrate the work of our participants with their friends, family, and OP community.
If you're in NYC, RSVP here to join us on 8/14 at 5:30 PM at CARA: https://www.cara-nyc.org/program/events/octavia-project-summer-showcase-2025
If you're in NYC, RSVP here to join us on 8/14 at 5:30 PM at CARA: https://www.cara-nyc.org/program/events/octavia-project-summer-showcase-2025
July 15, 2025 at 11:02 AM
We’re just one month away from our Summer Showcase! Every year, we celebrate the work of our participants with their friends, family, and OP community.
If you're in NYC, RSVP here to join us on 8/14 at 5:30 PM at CARA: https://www.cara-nyc.org/program/events/octavia-project-summer-showcase-2025
If you're in NYC, RSVP here to join us on 8/14 at 5:30 PM at CARA: https://www.cara-nyc.org/program/events/octavia-project-summer-showcase-2025