Explore More Sections of this Resource Blog
Youth and Media
Organizations:
Student Press Law Center and their New Voices initiative
https://splc.org/
https://splc.org/new-voices
New Voices is a student-powered nonpartisan grassroots movement of state-based activists who seek to protect student press freedom with state laws. These laws counteract the impact of the 1988 Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier Supreme Court decision, which dramatically changed the balance of student press rights.
(Source: https://splc.org/new-voices)
Wide Angle Media
A Baltimore-based youth media program that provides students with opportunities to develop practical skills in media production and journalism. The organization empowers young people by teaching them how to create and share their stories using various forms of media.
(Source: https://www.wideanglemedia.org/)
“Baltimore’s Wide Angle Youth Media Matches Students’ ‘Hustle’ with Real World Experience”
By Yvonne Wenger, The Baltimore Sun, November 10, 2020)Wide Angle Youth Media, a Baltimore-based organization, empowers young people by providing them with opportunities to gain real-world experience in media production and journalism.
(Source: https://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bs-fe-wide-angle-youth-media-20201110-mgjkogvtvzaijipg2f6thn7fxm-story.html)
The Boyle Heights Beat
Youth-produced local newspaper based in Los Angeles, California. The publication is written, edited, and produced by young people who live in Boyle Heights, and covers issues that are important to the community, such as immigration, housing, and education. The website provides access to the latest issue of the newspaper as well as an archive of past issues.
(Source: https://boyleheightsbeat.com)
Student Reporting Labs
Student Reporting Labs (SRL) is a national youth journalism program and public media initiative that trains teenagers across the country to produce stories that highlight the achievements, challenges, and reality of today’s youth. The program is now in over 180 middle and high schools and offers young people the opportunity to develop their skills in journalism, digital media production, and storytelling while creating stories that reflect their unique experiences and perspectives
(Source: https://studentreportinglabs.org/)
Press Pass NYC
An organization dedicated to fostering student journalism in New York City public schools. They offer faculty training, student resources, and support for school newspaper programs, aiming to promote media literacy, critical thinking, and community engagement among students. (Source: www.presspassnyc.org)
City Limits CLARIFY News Program
A cornerstone of NYC’s investigative journalism, City Limits’ CLARIFY (City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth) empowers high school students through public service journalism training. Launched in 2014 and supported by notable foundations, this program offers youth a platform for impactful reporting on urban issues, honing their research and storytelling skills in a real-world context.
(Source: City Limits Investigative Internship Program)
Parlé Endeavors
A non-profit organization focusing on empowering young adults and youth development in areas such as the arts, media, journalism, entrepreneurship, and related fields. Parlé Endeavors offers mentorship, scholarships, grants, and unique opportunities like a Teen Poetry Slam series to encourage and support the aspirations of young people. (Source: www.parleendeavors.org):
Hard News. Angry Administration. “Teenage Journalists Know What It’s Like”
By Jaclyn Peiser, The New York Times, July 1, 2018
High school educators across the country have been clamping down on students who publish articles on protests, sexuality, and other hot-button issues.
(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/business/media/student-journalism-school-newspaper.html)
“When the Student Newspaper Is the Only Daily Paper in Town”
By Dan Levin, The New York Times, October 19, 2019
As more than 2,000 newspapers across the country have closed or merged, student journalists from Michigan to Arizona have stepped in to fill the void.
(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/19/us/news-desert-ann-arbor-michigan.html?action=click&module=News&pgtype=Homepage)
“To Anyone Who Thinks Journalists Can’t Change the World”
By Marie Tae McDermott, The New York Times, September 5, 2018
Over the course of one month, three separate stories from our International desk—reported on the ground in Iraq, Thailand, and South Africa—helped lead to immediate reforms
(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/insider/isis-thailand-south-africa-reforms.html)
“Black And White And Forgotten All Over?
By Anna Phillips, City Limits, September 10, 2007
This City Limits article, written by Anna Phillips in September 2007, explores the disappearance of public high school newspapers in New York City. The piece highlights the lack of resources and support for student journalism programs and the impact of this on young people’s access to important information and opportunities for civic engagement.
https://citylimits.org/2007/09/10/black-and-white-and-forgotten-all-over
Books:
A NewsHound’s Guide to Student Journalism
By Katina Paron and Javier Guelfi, 2018, McFarland & Company
Packed with reporting exercises and fundamentals of the craft woven into engaging narratives, each comic also gives readers a look at the real-life event that inspired the tale.
Available on Amazon
High School Journalism: A Practical Guide
By Jim Streisel, 2007, McFarland & Company
Students will find valuable information about identifying news, interviewing, research, narrative writing style, editing, visual presentation, and layout. The book also covers the legal rights of student journalists, objective versus opinion writing, staff planning and organization, and Web-based journalism.
Available on Amazon.
Organizations Supporting Journalism
American Journalism Project
Empowering communities, preserving democracy, and rebuilding local news, this organization focuses on revitalizing local journalism to support informed communities and a healthy democracy.
Source: https://www.theajp.org/
“Save Local Journalism! A New Project is Trying”
By David Leonhardt, The New York Times, December 10, 2019
This article discusses the efforts of the American Journalism Project to support and revitalize local journalism across the United States.
Tiny News Collective
The Tiny News Collective is an organization that supports the creation and sustainability of local newsrooms across the United States. Their goal is to help communities build and maintain independent, community-centered news sources that are accountable to the people they serve. The organization offers training, mentorship, and support to help local journalists and publishers succeed in their work.
Source: https://tinynewsco.org/about/. (note: in the first edition of the book, this link is missing the .org)
Institute for Nonprofit News
The Institute for Nonprofit News is a network of over 300 independent news organizations across the United States. Their mission is to strengthen and support nonprofit newsrooms by providing resources, training, and collaboration opportunities. The organization also advocates for the value of nonprofit journalism and the critical role it plays in promoting a healthy democracy.
Source: https://inn.org
ProPublica Local Reporting Network
ProPublica supports local and regional newsrooms as they work on essential investigative projects impacting their communities, fostering collaboration and sharing resources to strengthen local journalism.
Source: https://www.propublica.org/local-reporting-network/
National/International Media Literacy Organizations
This comprehensive list of media literacy organizations, compiled by the Northwest Alliance for Responsible Media, provides a valuable resource for those interested in media education, research, and advocacy.
Source: https://nwamedialiteracy.org/resources-2/national-and-international-media-literacy-organizations/
“How New York City Is Saving Its Local News Outlets”
By Sarah Bartlett and Julie Sandorf, The New York Times, May 20, 2021
This opinion piece explores the measures being taken by New York City to support and preserve its local news outlets amid the challenges faced by the industry.
High Five
Our mission is to empower the local community, through media education and technology, to become civically engaged, express ideas, and advocate for causes.
Source: https://www.highfivemedia.org/mission
“Meet the Unlikely Hero Saving California’s Oldest Weekly”
By Tim Arango, The New York Times, February 20, 2020
This New York Times article highlights the efforts of an individual working to save the Sierra Messenger, California’s oldest weekly newspaper, and preserve local journalism in the community.
International Women’s Media Foundation
The IWMF provides safety training, reporting trips, and byline opportunities specifically tailored to support and empower women journalists in their careers.
https://www.iwmf.org
Youth Empowerment
Full Circle Youth Empowerment
We at Full Circle Youth Empowerment Inc. are a team of highly trained professionals who believe in the resiliency of our youth who have therapeutic needs and have experienced many adversities in life. We strongly believe with our specialized services, the commitment of families, and the collaboration with our community providers, our youth will receive the necessary support to overcome challenges, improve their outcomes, and successfully transition into adults. We are fostering hope. We are empowering lives along their journey. We are building a community for youth to flourish. (Bridgeport, CT)
(Source: https://www.fcyecenter.org/)
Partners for Youth Empowerment
Partners for Youth Empowerment’s (PYE) mission is to unleash the creative potential of young people. For 25 years, guided by this mission, PYE has been working to shift the field of youth work to respond to the deeper needs of young people for meaning, purpose, creativity, and connection. (Bolinas, CA)
(Source: https://partnersforyouth.org/)
Journalism / Local News
NW Alliance for Responsible Media. (n.d.) / National/International Media Literacy Organizations.
A curated list of organizations committed to social, political, and cultural education in the realm of media literacy, provided by the NW Alliance for Responsible Media.
https://nwamedialiteracy.org
National/International Media Literacy Organizations
A curated list of organizations committed to social, political, and cultural education in the realm of media literacy, provided by the NW Alliance for Responsible Media. Published by NW Alliance for Responsible Media
https://nwaresponsiblemedia.org/resources-2/national-and-international-media-literacy-organizations/
ProPublica / Local Reporting Network
The ProPublica Local Reporting Network supports local journalists in producing impactful investigative stories. It offers funding, editorial guidance, and resources to help uncover critical issues and hold powerful entities accountable, strengthening local news ecosystems.
https://www.propublica.org/article/propublica-is-seeking-new-applicants-for-its-local-reporting-network
“What Happens to Democracy When Local Journalism Dries Up? Every week, two more newspapers close—and ‘news deserts’ grow larger”
By Margaret Sullivan, The Washington Post, June 29, 2022
This article discusses the increasing number of “news deserts” in the U.S. as local newspapers continue to close down, leaving communities without credible news sources and posing serious implications for democracy.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/06/29/news-deserts-newspapers-democracy/
“Local news isn’t dying out: It’s being killed off by corporate greed”
While hedge funds raid and kill local newspapers, Sinclair tries to build an empire of low-grade local TV stations.
By Matthew Sheffield, Salon, March 23, 2018
https://www.salon.com/2018/03/23/local-news-isnt-dying-out-its-being-killed-off-by-corporate-greed/
“News Deserts Are a Civic Crisis”
By Katrina vanden Heuvel, The Washington Post, July 19, 2022
Katrina vanden Heuvel highlights the importance of addressing the issue of news deserts to preserve democracy and local communities.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/07/19/save-local-news-democracy/
“There are flickers of hope for local journalism. So far, it’s not nearly enough.”
By Margaret Sullivan, The Washington Post, December 20, 2020
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/there-are-flickers-of-hope-for-local-journalism-so-far-its-not-nearly-enough/2020/12/18/bbdbd64c-4077-11eb-8bc0-ae155bee4aff_story.html
“The Local-News Crisis Is Weirdly Easy to Solve”
By Steven Waldman, The Atlantic, August 8, 2023
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/08/local-news-investment-economic-value/674942/
“A Revolution for Journalism—or a Death Knell?”
Book review: The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now, by Alan Rusbridger, Farrar, Straus & Giroux (2019)
By Ann Marie Lipinski, The New York Times, January 23, 2019
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/23/books/review/alan-rusbridger-breaking-news.html
“Laurene Powell Jobs ready to invest more in journalism, says democracy at risk”
By Mikey Campbell, Apple Insider, March 2, 2019
https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/03/01/laurene-powell-jobs-ready-to-invest-more-in-journalism-says-democracy-at-risk
“I worked for Sinclair. I had to quit. The must-run segments and ‘one-sided news’ promos were too much.”
By Justin Simmons, The Washington Post, April 10, 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/04/10/i-worked-for-sinclair-i-had-to-quit/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-a%3Ahomepage%2Fstory
“Supreme Court Rules for Cheerleader Punished for Vulgar Snapchat Message.” The decision set new limits on disciplining students for off-campus speech but did not totally bar administrators from doing so.
By Adam Liptak, The New York Times, June 23, 2021
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/23/us/supreme-court-free-speech-cheerleader.html?referringSource=articleShare
“Coronavirus-Driven Downturn Hits Newspapers Hard as TV News Thrives. The financial state of the U.S. news media in the second quarter of 2020”
By Michael Barthel, Katerina Eva Matsa, and Kirsten Worden, Pew Research Center, October 29, 2020
https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2020/10/29/coronavirus-driven-downturn-hits-newspapers-hard-as-tv-news-thrives/
“Is There a Market for Saving Local News?”
By Clare Malone, The New Yorker, February 3, 2022
https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-communications/is-there-a-market-for-saving-local-news
“If local journalism manages to survive, give Evan Smith some credit for it”
The Texas Tribune founder has been a “true pioneer” in finding ways to cover local communities as a non-profit.
By Margaret Sullivan, The Washington Post, January 23, 2022
https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/01/23/media-sullivan-evan-smith-texas-tribune/
“As local news dies, a pay for play network rises in its place”
A nationwide operation of 1,300 local sites publishes coverage that is ordered up by the Republican groups and corporate PR firms.
By Davey Alba and Jack Nicas, The New York Times, October 18, 2020
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/18/technology/timpone-local-news-metric-media.html
“The disinformation system that Trump unleashed will outlast him. Here’s what reality-based journalists must do about it.”
By Margaret Sullivan, The Washington Post, November 22, 2020
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/trump-disinformation-journalism-next-steps/2020/11/20/6a634378-2ac8-11eb-92b7-6ef17b3fe3b4_story.html
“A Secretive Hedge Fund Is Gutting Newsrooms: Inside Alden Global Capital”
By McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, October 14, 2021
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/11/alden-global-capital-killing-americas-newspapers/620171/
“This journalist was her paper’s only full-time reporter—until they fired her. Her small town wonders: Now what?”
By Elahe Izadi, The Washington Post, October 23, 2020
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/floyd-press-local-news-media-cuts/2020/10/22/9390eb98-1307-11eb-ba42-ec6a580836ed_story.html
“How small news outlets are pushing back against Big Tech”
By Gary Abernathy, The Washington Post, June 25, 2021
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/06/25/how-small-news-outlets-are-pushing-back-against-big-tech/
“Five Pieces of Good News about the News”
A look at some of the ventures that have sprung up, fueled by a new sense of mission in American journalism and by the sheer quantities of money available.
By Ben Smith, The New York Times, July 11, 2021
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/11/business/media/good-news-media-sites.html
“When the Local Paper Shrank, These Journalists Started an Alternative”
An ambitious news site, The New Bedford Light, has sprung up in an old New England whaling town to fill a void in coverage.
By Katharine Q. Seelye, The New York Times, June 20, 2021
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/20/business/media/when-the-local-paper-shrank-these-journalists-started-an-alternative.html
“Local News Coverage Is Declining—And That Could Be Bad For American Politics”
By Joshua Darr, FiveThirtyEight, June 2, 2021
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/local-news-coverage-is-declining-and-that-could-be-bad-for-american-politics
“John Oliver places fake sponsored content on to local news: ‘Far too easy’”
The Last Week Tonight host digs into local news stations’ misleading sponsored content shows, successfully placing an absurd ‘wellness’ product on several stations.
By Adrian Horton, The Guardian, May 24, 2021
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/may/24/john-oliver-fake-sponsored-content-local-news
“In this moment of multiple crises, we need strong local journalism”
By Frank Blethen, The Washington Post, May 18, 2020
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/05/18/this-moment-multiple-crises-we-need-strong-local-journalism
“As the Press Weakens, So Does Democracy”
By Charles Blow, The New York Times, July 18, 2021
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/18/opinion/media-newspapers-democracy.html
“Nextdoor Is Quietly Replacing the Small-Town Paper”
While Facebook and Twitter get the scrutiny, Nextdoor is reshaping politics one neighborhood at a time.
By Will Oremus, Medium, January 27, 2021
https://onezero.medium.com/nextdoor-is-quietly-replacing-the-small-town-paper-ca583962c15a
Endangered (2022)
This documentary chronicles a year in the life of four journalists working in countries where freedom of the press is under threat.
HBO documentary on perils facing journalists in various parts of the world
https://www.hbo.com/movies/endangered
Journalism and Communities of Color
The National Association of Black Journalists
https://nabjonline.org/
“A Reckoning Over Objectivity, Led by Black Journalists”
Wesley Lowery, The New York Times, June 23, 2020
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/opinion/objectivity-black-journalists-coronavirus.html
“Inside the Tornado”
The Swarthmorean, Writing About Race, and Me
By Rachel Pastan, June 13, 2021
https://rpastan.medium.com/inside-the-tornado-a66f73c60ef7
Teaching / Curricula
Teachers College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP)
Once based at Columbia University’s Teachers College, TCRWP provided extensive support for literacy education, including workshops, phonics instruction, and initiatives for social justice and culturally responsive teaching. While the project has concluded, its legacy continues to influence educators. TCRWP has become the Advancing Literacy unit at Teachers College.
https://www.tc.columbia.edu/
Digital Tool Box for Teaching and Scholarship
Curated by Brooklyn College Library, this guide presents openly available digital tools for education and research, with practical applications and project examples. https://libguides.brooklyn.cuny.edu/digitaltoolbox
National Writing Project (NWP)
A hub for educators seeking to improve writing and learning in classrooms. NWP provides professional development resources and innovative teaching practices
https://www.nwp.org/
Big Picture Learning
Big Picture Learning was established in 1995 with the sole mission of putting students directly at the center of their own learning.
https://www.bigpicture.org
ImBlaze
Big Picture Learning developed a tool to help educators manage internship programs.
https://www.imblaze.org
Article about the above link
KQED. “Want to Offer Internships At Your School? A Tool To Make It Easier.”
By Katrina Schwartz, Mind/Shift, October 22, 2018
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/52325/want-to-offer-internships-at-your-school-a-tool-to-make-it-easier
EdSurge
EdSurge reports on changes in education shaped by technological advancements, scientific research, demographic shifts, business interests and other socioeconomic forces.
https://www.edsurge.com/
Education-Reimagined
Across the country in rural, urban, and suburban spaces, transformational leaders are innovating with new ways of learning that put the learner at the center. Unified by curiosity, creativity, and boldness, growing numbers of intrepid innovators are creating learning environments that adapt and adjust to meet the needs of each and every child.
https://education-reimagined.org
XQ Institute
XQ Institute is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience so that every student graduates ready to succeed in life.
https://xqsuperschool.org
“Want to prepare youth for the workplace? Let them lead.”
https://xqsuperschool.org/rethinktogether/want-to-prepare-students-for-the-workforce-let-them-lead/
“How Being Part of a ‘House’ Within a School Helps Students Gain A Sense of Belonging”
By Gail Cornwall, May 14, 2018
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/50960/how-being-part-of-a-house-within-a-school-helps-students-gain-a-sense-of-belonging
“Learn Stuff Computers Can’t Do”
Article in part about the book Human Work In the Age of Smart Machines by Jamie Merisotis
By Tom Vander Ark, Forbes, October 30, 2020
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomvanderark/2020/10/30/human-work-learn-stuff-computers-cant-do/
“What Kids Wish Their Teacher Knew”
By Donna De La Cruz, The New York Times, August 31, 2016
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/31/well/family/what-kids-wish-their-teachers-knew.html
“Amplify Storytelling in the Classroom with 3 Tech-Enabled Projects Using Blogging, Podcasts and Instructional Videos”
By Robert Sevilla, Getting Smart, Jul 23, 2019
https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/07/23/amplify-storytelling-in-the-classroom-with-3-tech-enabled-projects/
“Today’s assignment for classroom design: flexibility”
By Kim Cook, AP News, July 9, 2019
https://apnews.com/article/charlottesville-lifestyle-education-us-news-virginia-d97d3d0070ba4498af05afaadeceb80f
“Meditation and teaching: When Teachers Take A Breath, Students Can Bloom”
By Anya Kamenetz, NPR, August 19, 2016
https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/08/19/488866975/when-teachers-take-a-breath-students-can-bloom
“What Productive Talk Looks Like in the Elementary Grades”
Using sentence stems to scaffold classroom discussions guides students to speak, actively listen, and build on each other’s ideas.
By Susan O’Brien, Edutopia, October 14, 2019
https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-productive-talk-looks-elementary-grades
“8 Inspiring Student Projects to Jumpstart Your School Year”
By Carri Schneider, XQ Institute, August 13, 2019
https://xqsuperschool.org/rethinktogether/8-inspiring-student-projects-to-jumpstart-your-school-year/
“How To Develop Poised, Thoughtful, Articulate Teenagers”
By Tom Vander, Forbes, November 20, 2018
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomvanderark/2018/11/20/how-to-develop-poised-thoughtful-articulate-teenagers/
Merrow, John. The Influence of Teachers: Reflections on Teaching and Leadership. Jossey-Bass, 2011
“Steve Brill’s Report Card on School Reform”
By Sara Mosle, The New York Times, August 18, 2011
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/books/review/class-warfare-by-steven-brill-book-review.html
“Make Schools More Human”
The pandemic showed us that education was broken. It also showed us how to fix it.
“The fundamental job is to partner with families to raise successful human beings. The pandemic is helping many of us to think about our students in a fuller and more holistic way; we should remember that when the crisis ends.”
By Jal Mehta, The New York Times, December 23, 2020
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/23/opinion/covid-schools-vaccine.html
Sir Ken Robinson, author and educator
TED2006, February 2006
“Do schools kill creativity?”
https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity?language=en
TED2010, February 2010
“Bring on the learning revolution!”
Sir Ken Robinson makes the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning—creating conditions where kids’ natural talents can flourish.
https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_learning_revolution?language=en
The TED Interview, December 2018
“Sir Ken Robinson (still) wants an education revolution”
https://www.ted.com/talks/the_ted_interview_sir_ken_robinson_still_wants_an_education_revolution
“School Flexible Learning Spaces, Student Movement Behavior and Educational Outcomes among Adolescents: A Mixed‐Methods Systematic Review”
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348006491_School_Flexible_Learning_Spaces_Student_Movement_Behavior_and_Educational_Outcomes_among_Adolescents_A_Mixed-Methods_Systematic_Review
“What science tells us about improving middle school”
By Kelly Field, The Hechinger Report, August 16, 2021
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/what-science-tells-us-about-improving-middle-school
“The Activists Working to Remake the Food System”
By Ligaya Mishan, The New York Times, February 19, 2021
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/19/t-magazine/food-security-activists.html
“America must embrace civics and history instruction for the sake of our democracy”
By the Washington Post Editorial Board, March 2, 2021
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/america-must-embrace-civics-and-history-instruction-for-the-sake-of-our-democracy/2021/03/02/b9814476-7877-11eb-9537-496158cc5fd9_story.html
“Massive investment in social studies and civics education proposed to address eroding trust in democratic institutions”
By Joe Heim, The Washington Post, March 1, 2021
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/civics-social-studies-education-plan/2021/03/01/e245e34a-747f-11eb-9537-496158cc5fd9_story.html
Food and Nutrition Education
This section provides links to organizations and programs that align with the themes of nutrition education as discussed in “The Legacy of HarlemLIVE.”
Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, & Policy
The Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, & Policy at Teachers College, Columbia University, is dedicated to creating a healthy, just, and sustainable food system. They conduct research on school food policies, child nutrition, and food access, and translate their findings into actionable resources for educators, policy makers, and advocates. The Center also provides hands-on training for future leaders in food and nutrition.
Website: Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, & Policy
FoodCorps
FoodCorps connects kids to healthy food in schools by providing hands-on lessons in gardening and cooking, promoting nutritious meals, and fostering a culture of health. Their mission is to create a future in which every school is a healthy school, and every child is well-nourished and ready to learn.
Website: FoodCorps
The Edible Schoolyard Project
The Edible Schoolyard Project supports kitchen and garden education in schools, aiming to develop a national curriculum for edible education and train educators. The project promotes a vision where children have a strong connection to their food and understand the importance of healthy eating.
Website: The Edible Schoolyard Project
Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)
CSPI advocates for safer and healthier foods. They conduct research and provide information on nutrition, food safety, and health, aiming to influence policies and practices that lead to improved public health outcomes.
Website: Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)
Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC)
The CFSC is dedicated to building strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems. They work on food policy, food access, and sustainable agriculture, focusing on ensuring that all community members have access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food.
Website: Community Food Security Coalition
National Farm to School Network
The National Farm to School Network works to increase access to local food and nutrition education to improve children’s health and strengthen local economies. They provide resources and support for farm to school programs across the country.
Website: National Farm to School Network
“The Activists Working to Remake the Food System”
By Ligaya Mishan, The New York Times, February 19, 2021
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/19/t-magazine/food-security-activists.html
* * *
Experiential Learning
Boston University, Center for Teaching & Learning
“A comprehensive guide to experiential learning, providing valuable insights and strategies for incorporating hands-on experiences into education”
https://www.bu.edu/ctl/guides/experiential-learning/
Experiential Learning Institute
Learn about the core principles and benefits of experiential learning through this resourceful website, offering in-depth information and valuable resources.
https://experientiallearninginstitute.org/resources/what-is-experiential-learning/
Northern Illinois University, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning
An instructional guide on incorporating experiential learning methods into the classroom, enhancing student engagement and understanding.
https://www.niu.edu/citl/resources/guides/instructional-guide/experiential-learning.shtml
Association for Experiential Education
Discover the principles and practices of experiential education through this authoritative source fostering experiential learning excellence.
https://www.aee.org/what-is-experiential-education
Frontiers in Psychology, Experiential Learning
Read a research article exploring the psychological aspects and impact of experiential learning on students’ cognitive development.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.771272/full
Experiential Learning, International Experiential Learning Community
A concise overview of experiential learning, providing valuable insights and practical information for educators and learners alike.
https://www.experientiallearning.org/info/what-is-experiential-learning/
Lewis-Clark State College, Inspiration for Teaching and Learning
Explore the concept and benefits of experiential learning through examples and inspirations from Lewis-Clark State College.
https://www.lcsc.edu/teaching-learning/inspiration-for-teaching-and-learning/experiential-learning
Northeastern University, Center for Experiential Learning
A hub for experiential learning resources and opportunities, fostering immersive and impactful learning experiences for students.
https://experiential-learning.northeastern.edu/
The City as School, Experiential Learning at Its Core
Discover how experiential learning is central to The City as School’s educational approach, providing real-world learning opportunities to students.
https://www.cityas.org/
Alternatives to College
“How you got screwed by the education system”
The true purpose of the American education system seems to be to make sure kids are unprepared for the adult world
By Allen Marshall, Salon, March 25, 2018
https://www.salon.com/2018/03/25/how-you-got-screwed-by-the-education-system/
Café Momentum
Café Momentum is a nationally recognized nonprofit restaurant and professional training facility. We create holistic, individualized plans for young people to begin addressing the issues they’ve had to confront throughout their lives.
(Source: https://cafemomentum.org/about/)
“Why We Desperately Need to Bring Back Vocational Training in Schools”
Nicholas Wyman, Forbes, September 1, 2015
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholaswyman/2015/09/01/why-we-desperately-need-to-bring-back-vocational-training-in-schools
“The Best Way to Learn Anything Comes Naturally. You don’t need school.”
https://jessicalexicus.medium.com/the-best-way-to-learn-anything-according-to-a-tenured-professor-fb9d93f90d31
“College Not for You? You Can Make The Same Amount of Money In Half The Time Doing This.”
Somewhere down the road, trade schools got a bad rep. That perception needs to change.
By Michael Schneider, Inc.
https://www.inc.com/michael-schneider/college-not-for-you-you-can-make-same-amount-of-money-in-half-time-doing-this.html
Race and Education
“Beyond the game. We teach black boys sports are their only hope. What if we let them dream bigger?”
By Martellus Bennett, The Washington Post, February 1, 2019
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2019/02/01/feature/we-teach-black-boys-sports-are-their-only-hope-what-if-we-let-them-dream-bigger/
“The Great Divide: Stop Holding Us Back”
By Robert Balfanz, The New York Times, June 7, 2014
https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/07/stop-holding-us-back/
“From Struggling High Schooler to College Freshman”
By Jessica Schnall, The New York Times, December 30, 2014
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/31/nyregion/from-struggling-high-schooler-to-college-freshman.html
“Can George Clooney and a new LA high school make Hollywood crews more inclusive?”
By Ryan Faughnder
June 21, 2021
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-06-21/caa-george-clooney-team-for-l-a-based-school-to-improve-inclusion-on-film-sets
Parenting
“‘Let them be kids!’ Is ‘free-range’ parenting the key to healthier, happier children?”
By Emine Saner, The Guardian, August 16, 2021
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/aug/16/let-them-be-kids-is-free-range-parenting-the-key-to-healthier-happier-children
Let Grow
Let Grow believes today’s kids are smarter and stronger than our culture gives them credit for.
https://letgrow.org/
https://letgrow.org/our-books/
“How Parents Are Robbing their Children of Adulthood”
By Claire Cain Miller and Jonah E. Bromwich, The New York Times, March 16, 2019
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/16/style/snowplow-parenting-scandal.html
“The Anti-Helicopter Parent’s Plea: Let Kids Play”
By Melanie Thernstrom, The New York Times, October 19, 2016
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/23/magazine/the-anti-helicopter-parents-plea-let-kids-play.html
“What Happened to American Childhood? Too many kids show worrying signs of fragility from a very young age. Here’s what we can do about it.”
By Kate Julian, The Atlantic, April 17, 2020
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/05/childhood-in-an-anxious-age/609079/
“Utah’s ‘free-range parenting’ law said to be first in the nation”
By Meagan Flynn, The Washington Post, March 28, 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/03/28/utahs-free-range-parenting-law-said-to-be-first-in-the-nation/
Volunteering
Grassroots Volunteering
Grassroots Volunteering is a resource connecting travelers to causes and communities in the places they travel. The site consists of a dual database of organizations all over the world.
http://grassrootsvolunteering.org/
New Urbanism / Walkable Cities / War on Cars
Communities around the world are rethinking the reliance on the automobile, redesigning cities on a human scale that allows programs that encourage human interaction to thrive.
Congress for the New Urbanism
A planning and development approach that focuses on human-scaled urban design, based on the principles of how cities and towns have been built for centuries.
https://www.cnu.org
Walkable Cities. Project Drawdown.
An approach to city planning, design, and density that maximizes walking and minimizes driving, resulting in decreased emissions.
https://drawdown.org/solutions/walkable-cities
Streetsblog
A resource for information on reducing dependence on cars and improving conditions for walking, biking, and transit.
https://www.streetsblog.org/
“Why is ‘Walkability’ the New Must Have for Movers?”
By Marisa Sanfilippo, MYMOVE, May 6, 2022
Describes the benefits of living in a walkable neighborhood, including increased social networks, and how to determine the walkability of a new neighborhood.
https://www.mymove.com/city-guides/walkability-new-must-movers/
Jeff Speck
Jeff Speck, author of Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time, has been recognized for his work in urban planning and promoting walkable communities.
https://www.jeffspeck.com/
Cars Ruin Cities
An advocacy website promoting the idea of freedom and independence in choosing whether to drive or not, and advocating for cities to be designed better.
https://carsruincities.info/
The War on Cars
A podcast that discusses the ongoing conflict between cars and the city and provides news and commentary on developments in the fight to undo the damage wrought by the automobile
https://thewaroncars.org/
Transportation Alternatives
An organization dedicated to promoting safe, equitable streets in New York City and working with communities in every borough to build a future that meets their needs
https://www.transalt.org/
“Inside the movement to remake America’s city streets”
An article detailing the movement to remake city streets in America with a focus on pedestrian safety and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this movement.
By Thebault, Reis, The Washington Post, March 15, 2023
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/interactive/2023/pedestrian-safety-covid-pandemic/
Artificial Intelligence
Google’s AI for Everyone
This is a free course on Coursera that provides a general introduction to AI. While it’s not tailored specifically to youth, it’s accessible for older teens and could be a starting point for educators.
https://www.coursera.org/learn/ai-for-everyone
MIT Media Lab’s Scratch Programming
While Scratch is fundamentally a platform for teaching kids coding, they have been integrating AI and machine learning concepts into their platform, making it a friendly entry point for young learners.
https://scratch.mit.edu/
AI4ALL
This is a nonprofit dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion in AI. They run education programs for high school students, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds.
https://ai-4-all.org/
Machine Learning for Kids
This platform provides projects and resources to help kids understand machine learning concepts using simple block coding similar to Scratch.
https://machinelearningforkids.co.uk/
Youth and AI Labs at Stanford
This Stanford initiative focused on researching and creating learning experiences for young people to explore AI.
https://ai.stanford.edu/
IBM’s Teacher Advisor with Watson
While more educator-focused, this platform uses AI to provide teachers with strategies and resources to improve student learning.
https://www.ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/initiatives/activitykits/teacheradvisor
The Evolving Landscape of AI Education for Youth
As AI continues to permeate every facet of our lives and shape the future of technology and innovation, it is imperative for educators and youth to remain abreast of developments in this domain. The resources listed above represent just a snapshot of the rapidly expanding landscape of AI education for young learners. We strongly encourage educators, parents, and students to actively seek out and engage with new platforms, courses, and organizations that emerge in the realm of AI. Staying informed and proactive will ensure that our youth are well equipped to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence while also maintaining a discerning perspective on its ethical and societal implications.
* * *
A Timeless Critique on Media’s Impact
“Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television” by Jerry Mander: William Morrow & Company, 1978
When I revisited Jerry Mander’s book in 2015, its title struck me as potentially outdated in our digital age. However, I quickly realized that its insights are even more pertinent now than when it was first published. This book profoundly changed how I view advertising, equipping me with a critical eye towards media consumption that has stayed with me ever since.
Jerry Mander’s Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television critically examines television’s role in society, focusing on its ability to distort reality, simplify communication, and encourage passive consumption. Originally published in 1978, this seminal work delves into the deep-seated impacts of visual media on individual autonomy and societal values. As we navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence, social media, and digital marketing, Mander’s exploration offers essential insights for understanding media influence on our perceptions and interactions, crucial for preserving democratic discourse and personal agency.
References to HarlemLIVE in Books, Research Papers, and Websites
“Youth as E-Citizens: Engaging the Digital Generation”
By Kathryn Montgomery, PhD, Barbara Gottlieb-Robles, and Gary O. Larson, PhD
2004, Center for Social Media School of Communication, American University
HarlemLive is notable for the community spirit that infuses the writing and for enabling its participants to come to terms with many of the social, political, racial, and cultural issues that affect their lives.
Read more
“Using Participatory Media and Public Voice to Encourage Civic Engagement”
By Howard Rheingold, Stanford University, Communication Department
2008, Aspen Institute
Another collaboration of teachers and students uses video to give Harlem youth a worldwide forum to highlight issues that matter to them. HarlemLIVE blog, “Harlem’s Youth Internet Publication,” directly addresses civic issues of interest to Harlem youth, and HarlemLIVE video produces and publishes teen-created videos about civic and cultural issues. HarlemLIVE “began in early 1996, at the beginning of the internet revolution, with just five students, one laptop, a digital camera, and an advisor.”
Read more
“Online Content for Low-Income and Underserved Americans: A Strategic Audit of Activities and Opportunities”
2000, The Children’s Partnership
HarlemLive (http://www.harlemlive.org/) is Harlem’s online publication by teens. Approximately 60 students from public high schools located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan develop and maintain this award-winning interactive journal about life issues for teenagers of color. On the Web site, one can read about events and happenings, poetry and memoirs, and view a gallery of photos. The aim of the site is to empower leaders to be caretakers of tomorrow by building a network of information from within the community. Harlem Live has been recognized nationally for its contributions to the online world of youth of color, receiving praise from international as well as national leaders.
Read more
“Bridging the Digital Divide: Technology, Community, and Public Policy”
By Lisa J. Servon
2008, Blackwell Publishing
Harlem Live was initiated in 1996 by Richard Calton. Calton had started a similar project from within a school but was frustrated by the limitations of being in a school setting. It was difficult to take the kids out of school without insurance being an issue, for example. Calton also recognized the benefits of working closely with very small groups of students, something that was very difficult in the context of the public schools.
“Digital Generations: Children, Young People, and the New Media”
By David Buckingham and Rebekah Willet
2003, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
Harlem-Live is an Internet-based youth publication launched in 1996. It has a close relationship with the Playing2Win community technology center in Harlem, which hosts the publication on its Web site and provides office and production space for the publication’s editorial team. Columbia University and a number of other local organizations provide additional support.
“Technology and Social Inclusion: Rethinking the Digital Divide”
By Mark Warschauer
2004, MIT Press
HarlemLive is a high-quality online publication, with general news reports, articles on community issues, arts and culture articles, photo galleries, a creative writing section, and a special women’s section. The publication thus provides current, topical information by and for the Harlem community. Equally important, HarlemLive has trained several hundred Harlem young people as journalists, photographers, media administrators, Webmasters, and public speakers. The publication thus serves as a focal point for young people to develop and showcase their technical and communication skills while they address issues of concern to the community and create original content that helps give the community voice.
“Listening to Harlem: Gentrification, Community, and Business”
By David Maurrasse
2014, Columbia University Press
“Education and Technology: An Encyclopedia”
By Ann Kovalchick and Kara Dawson
2004, ABC-CLIO
“Technicolor: Race, Technology, and Everyday Life”
By Alondra Nelson, Thuy Link Nguyen Tu, and Alicia Headlam Hines
2001, NYU Press
“The African American Experience”
By Sandy Donovan
2010, Lucent Books
“Electronic Resources Librarianship and Management of Digital Information”
By Mark Jacobs
2013, Routledge
“Community media and the politics of youth.”
2003, First Monday Journal 8(11)
Clearly one of the great potentials of the Web—and this enormous time of migration toward digital technologies—is in fostering new community content partnerships. What the Web affords is for everyone to be a producer and not just a passive consumer of the media. Youth in particular are extremely adept at using multimedia, as demonstrated by youth-directed media centers, such as HarlemLive in New York City and Street Level Youth in Chicago.
Read more