IU School of Education in Indianapolis hosts Summer Impact Programs
The School of Education in Indianapolis seeks to increase its summer impact in Indianapolis by interrupting summer learning loss with established, faculty-led programs, which serve students of color and/or those who are eligible for free and reduced lunch. These summer programs serve students ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade and the focus includes literacy, STEM, the arts, civic engagement and social action.
Girls STEM Institute (GSI) is a STEM learning program designed to provide holistic learning opportunities for scholars ages 7-18 who are underrepresented in STEM fields. Currently, GSI is implemented as a four-week summer program and Saturday workshops once a month during the school year. During the school year, GSI also offers parent/caregiver workshops to assist and empower parents/caregivers as they advocate on behalf of their scholars. GSI provides scholars an opportunity to develop an understanding of mathematics and other STEM concepts in a meaningful and culturally grounded context. Within GSI’s rich, rigorous, relevant, and supportive setting, scholars have the freedom to grow interpersonally and intellectually. Through GSI framework of socially transformative STEM curriculum (Mutegi, 2011), scholars are provided access to powerful STEM learning experiences that challenge them to think deeply and critically. As STEM learners, they are empowered to use STEM as a tool for personal and social change.
Note: Girls STEM Summer Institute is open and available to all individuals, regardless of race or gender.
Faculty Contact: Dr. Crystal Morton
The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom School program provides a 6-week summer enrichment experience through a research-based and multicultural curriculum that supports children and families through five essential components: (1) high quality academic and character-building enrichment; (2) parent and family involvement; (3) civic engagement and social action; (4) intergenerational servant leadership development; and (5) nutrition, health and mental health. The CDF Freedom School program is proudly rooted in the American Civil Rights Movement and the courageous efforts of college-age youth to make a difference. The CDF Freedom Schools program has its origins in the Mississippi Freedom Summer project of 1964, which brought college students from around the country to Mississippi to secure justice and voting rights for Black citizens. These early Freedom School aimed at keeping Black children and youth safe and giving them rich educational experiences that were not offered to them in Mississippi’s public schools. In collaboration with community partners the School of Education and the Center for Africana Studies and Culture sponsors a summer Freedom School program at a local elementary school and brings the resources of IU Indianapolis to the community.
Faculty Contact: Dr. Les Etienne
YPAR is an innovative approach to positive youth and community development in which young people are trained to conduct systematic research to improve their lives, their communities, and the institutions intended to serve them. This website will help guide you along the way: reflecting on your group’s capacity to engage in YPAR, forming a team, planning your YPAR project, and using the findings to advocate for change in your community. With YPAR, young people are the researchers and changemakers. YPAR builds skill development among youth in inquiry, evidence, and presentation. Most importantly, YPAR is action-oriented. It results in research findings that can illuminate the issues and solutions that are important to young people.
Faculty Contact: Dr. Tambra Jackson
Your Life Your Story: Latino Youth Summit is an evidence-based, interdisciplinary, and community-based youth development program. Over the course of a week, 30 Latinx youth experience a resilience-building curriculum, followed by a selection of art and movement-based activities to explore their identity, develop goals for the future, and identify barriers and opportunities. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks are also provided to teens and staff at the camp. Expert professionals from the community lead the day-long activities. College-aged mentors work with teens to enhance learning, act as role models, and serve as a resource. Throughout the week, teens learn skills that will help them deal effectively and positively with the challenges they face. By teaching teens skills to thrive, we are not only preventing problems, but also helping them reach their goals.
Faculty Contact: Dr. Monica Medina