In summer 2019, we partnered with the 482Forward Youth Collective on a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) project. Four youth worked with PIE Teaching Artist Cyrah Dardas to develop and explore the question, What about school is inhumane? To present their findings, they created “Rock Paper Scissors,” a zine that delivers a vivid examination of humanity in Detroit schools.
Cyrah and 482Youth members Sara Nasher, Valeria Rios-Hernandez, Emily Gonzalez-Gutierrez and America A. Yahya formed “The Research Squad.” After identifying their research question, they developed an ethical interview strategy and came up with questions they felt could help other youth unpack what was not working for them in school.
The Research Squad then interviewed other 482Youth members, recording and transcribing their responses. They compiled all of the interviews and isolated four problem areas contributing to what makes school inhumane:
Over-sized classes Burnt-out teachers
Malnutritious food Oppressive environment
More on the context of these problems in the zine below.
From there, they decided that it was important to share the personal narratives and opinions of the folks they interviewed, “so we decided to make a media project about our findings,” Cyrah explained when we asked her about “Rock Paper Scissors.”
““Rock Paper Scissors” offers an opportunity to listen to the voices of the young people who are actually experiencing the pitfalls of our education system.”
STUDENT CENTERED SCHOOLS
“Schools that foster youth voice, ideas, and involvement in the design of the school system; schools that serve the best interest of the student, and look for students opinion in the creation of curriculum, building design, and more!”
- 482Youth’s definition of student centered schools
To address their inhumane experience at school, The Research Squad highlighted a Student Centered Schooling approach, steeped in Blackfoot Nation’s model of Self Actualization. They asked, “If we center all decisions at school around students’ needs, what could change?” Rich with complex thinking about school conditions and an offering of dynamic solutions, “Rock Paper Scissors” shows us how keenly youth experience and interpret their surroundings.
Their findings are increasingly relevant as we navigate and shape what schooling looks during this historic moment and push for transformational change. Now is a time to deeply partner with and listen to youth, to uplift their voices and center their learning experience.
As we plan for the fall and beyond, let's remember to dream and imagine what is possible if we focus schooling on the needs of the young people inside them. Open “Rock Paper Scissors” below.
OTHER FEATURED PROJECTS
What Makes Me ME? | 2020
Dream Lunch | 2019