Youth Engagement Tool Development for California Friday Night Live Programs - YEDI Affiliated Project
Valerie Shapiro, Professor
Social Welfare
Applications for Fall 2024 are closed for this project.
Research has demonstrated how social and emotional learning (SEL) in schools can improve the wellbeing and achievement of young people, but this research doesn’t always involve the youth themselves. This project will train and support undergraduate students to create SEL tools for a statewide youth program: Friday Night Live. Specific tool development will include: 1) observation and focus group protocols for youth about positive climate, positive emotional experiences, and the structures and routines of social and emotional learning implementation, and 2) video micro-trainings for youth on how to implement the protocols.
Role: We are seeking undergraduate students to serve as project assistants. Tasks may include:
Co-design the SEL protocols using Canva
Assist with media content creation and planning of the video micro-trainings for youth on how to implement the SEL protocols
Act in the video micro-trainings for youth
Support the preparation of presentations, workshops, or trainings on how to use and implement the youth engagement tools
Learning Outcomes may include:
Knowledge of youth social and emotional learning implementation
Knowledge of youth voice initiatives
Knowledge of various research methods including focus groups, observations, and Photovoice
Development of design skills utilizing Canva
Engagement in cascading mentorship and professional development
NOTE: This project participates in the LAEP program that enables underrepresented undergraduate students who have filed for financial aid to earn money in research-related positions in order to help reduce their educational costs. You may simultaneously earn academic credit for successful completion of this apprenticeship. Our team may have funds for you to participate in the LAEP program. If you are interested in participating in the LAEP program, please *affirm your eligibility* in your application. You can confirm your eligibility by logging into the work-study management system (WSMS) and viewing the work-study update section. Eligibility criteria are: a) California resident, b) Enrolled in 6 or more units / good academic standing, c) Filed a FAFSA or CADAA and have work-study eligibility, d) Eligible to work in the U.S., including current DACA holders.
NOTE: If you are selected for this research project, you will be given the opportunity to join the Youth Equity Discovery Initiative (YEDI) program. YEDI is a research apprenticeship and mentorship program that supplements your URAP research work with weekly workshops in both Fall and Spring semesters. YEDI creates a cohort of undergraduate scholars (usually around 20-30, many from underrepresented backgrounds) that are working on youth equity research projects, such as this one. The year-long program utilizes cascading mentorship, skill-building workshops, and professional development to provide supportive pathways into research careers, service, and leadership addressing adolescent inequities and well-being. Scholars greatly benefit from (and enjoy!) the extra training and support, as well as the professional development opportunities (including faculty guest speakers, graduate student and practitioner panels). The program culminates in a research presentation at the end of the program. The 2024-2025 YEDI cohort will meet on Tuesdays from 4:30 - 6:00 pm beginning September 24th. In order to take part in the YEDI program, you MUST be able to attend the workshops at this time. As a YEDI scholar, you will sign up for a PH198 class and receive 1 unit. This is in addition to the units you receive for your URAP research project. For any questions about YEDI, please contact Marieka Schotland at mschotland@berkeley.edu or visit our website here.
We value equity and inclusion; Students from different backgrounds, with diverse identities and experiences, are all encouraged to apply.
Qualifications: Qualifications: (1) Academic, research, or work experience in education, psychology, public health, social welfare, or a related field, (2) Interest in system change in K-12 education, (3) Comfort with electronic communications (email) and associated technology, (4) Capacity to participate in video conferencing with reliable connection, mic, and video, (5) Experience being relied on as detail-oriented and organized, (6) Experience with project management or coordination, (7) Capacity to contribute up to 9-11 hours a week during the academic term, with some hours occurring during weekday business hours, with a flexible schedule to be responsive to project pace, (8) Seeking multiple semesters of involvement, (9) Willingness to share with supervisor when you’re unsure or have a question.
Preferred Qualifications: (1) Comfortable working with and speaking in front of groups (youth and adults), (2) Work experience with middle and/or high school students, (3) Understanding of qualitative research methods and/or research experience (specifically focus groups, observations, and/or Photovoice), (4) Experience with group facilitation and/or trainings, and (5) Skills in media production, graphic and visual content design, and/or have proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), Canva, or other similar platforms. Students will need to have the capacity for 9-11 hours of contribution to the project each week for Fall and Spring semester, adjusted for university holidays.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Dr. Marieka Schotland, Staff Researcher
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: All work can be conducted virtually (in US Pacific time zone). Workstation can be made available in Haviland Hall. YEDI participation will require in-person meetings on campus.
Related website: https://fridaynightlive.tcoe.org/
Related website: https://i4y.berkeley.edu/