How do you reach today's youth?

Part of my role at my internship, Movement against Intolerance, is going to various middle and high schools in Málaga and giving presentations on the various forms of intolerance with corresponding workshops on specific types of intolerance, such as racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, etc. After visiting various types of school and working with all ages of students, I have noticed a trend with the attention span and participation of the students in regard to these presentations. At my internship we often think about this topic, but I am not sure we have found the best answers.

I am sure that this is an area in which most teachers in countries all over the world struggle. I feel that if we cannot properly reach the students, then the presentations are useless. My supervisors and I talk to the students, show video clips, utilize PowerPoint presentations, pose controversial questions to spark class discussion, and hand out flyers and stickers, among other in-class resources. However even with all of these resources, I feel that we are not truly reaching the students. Though in theory they should have more maturity than their younger counterparts, I feel it is the older students that are not fully involved in these seminars. I think back to my high school experience and wonder how my teachers managed to hold the attention of the class. While I’m sure those majoring in education would have a better idea of this, I truly wonder… how do you reach today’s youth?