The Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) program is an 8-week summer program with 6 to 8 high school students (ages 13-17) in the Richmond area. Students join class sessions 5 days a week and conceptualize, design, carry out, and analyze a research question that is important to them as youth in the community and to their community. A summary of their work is presented to their family members, the Lifelong Medical team, public officials of Richmond and Contra Costa County, key community stakeholders, and UCSF and UC Berkeley faculty.
[YPAR] made me see that research can be done in many different ways...There are some fun research methods and at the end of the day it’s all helpful.
The research helped me connect with my community on a personal level and I couldn’t be more happy to do research to benefit them. Putting work into the research is beneficial for those who lack resources and that is why I want to dedicate myself to it.
I never thought I liked research but then I really got into it...I got engaged, and now I love it.
I used to think I wasn't 'made for' research, but now I believe anyone can do it. [YPAR] taught me about the many positions, relationships, responsibilities & opportunities related to conducting research.
