From 30 to 1,500 Students: Scaling Mass Experiential Learning with How to Change the World

Higher education is at a crossroads. Institutions are being asked to do more with less—serve more students, prepare them for a rapidly changing, AI-shaped workforce, and prove the real-world value of a degree—all at the same time. Employers consistently note that while graduates are technically capable, many struggle to apply what they’ve learned to complex, real-world challenges, echoing a core insight from learning science: people learn best by doing, when experiences are intentionally designed with clear goals and meaningful support.So how can universities provide meaningful, real-world learning experiences not just for a select few—but for hundreds or even thousands of students at once?That question sits at the heart of this episode of signals in higher ed, hosted by Darin Francis, featuring Jason Blackstock, founder and CEO of How to Change the World. During the conversation, Francis and Blackstock explore how mass experiential learning emerged from an ambitious mandate at University College London—and how it has since evolved into a scalable model used across institutions, disciplines, and even countries.Together, they examine what it really takes to move from small, boutique experiential programs to large-scale, inclusive learning environments that get better—not worse—as participation grows.Top insights from the chat…Why scale changes everything: Moving from 30 to 1,500 students isn’t just a quantitative shift—it fundamentally alters how peer learning, coaching, and mentorship can be designed.The building blocks of mass experiential learning: Peer-to-peer learning, near-peer coaching, real-world mentors, and challenge-based frameworks that motivate both students and experts.Experiential learning beyond the curriculum: How co-curricular, extracurricular, and lifelong learning models can complement credit-bearing courses and expand access.Jason Blackstock is a social entrepreneur, scientist, and educator whose career spans quantum physics research, Silicon Valley technology development, sustainability and innovation policy, and higher education leadership. He has held senior academic and advisory roles at institutions including University College London, Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and the University of Waterloo, authored 100+ academic and policy publications, and holds more than a dozen technology patents. He is the founder and CEO of How to Change the World, co-founder of We Make Change, and a trusted advisor to global initiatives in climate, data systems, and innovation, including the Carbon XPRIZE and Creative Destruction Lab.