These funds would be used (1) for the completion of a summer camp to teach high-school students how to use qualitative research as a tool for social change (2) and the development of a plan to ameliorate
tensions between police, city officials, and local youth about rising crime in the area.
I will work with approximately ten Baltimore youth for the months of July and August to examine this tension over public space using Participatory Action Research. During these 8 weeks, students will
learn about the history of the Inner Harbor and other public tourist spaces through a sociological lens, think analytically about the competition for public space through presentations by guest speakers and creative exercises, and engage their communities
through community organizing. After this introductory phase, lasting approximately 2 weeks, I will guide youth in qualitative ethnographic research to tell the story of the Inner Harbor. Each student will design a research questions, conduct 3-4 interviews,
organize field notes, and code data. I have already recruited over 150 students, which I will interview to narrow down the participants. We are collaborating with an organization called the Village Learning Place (VLP). The VLP’s goal is to provide a space
for community learning and growth. They have agreed to provide computers and a classroom, which will be our headquarters for the span of the project. In return, my students will mentor younger students (age 11-14 approx.) enrolled in extracurricular programs
at the VLP.
A donation of $40 buys a student a recording device to caputre interviews.
A donation of $80 buys our public event permit.
A donation of $100 pays for food at one of our weekly debriefing meetings in the Inner Harbor.
A donation of $128 pays for a student's transportation for the summer.
A donation of $166 buys all school supplies, including colored pens for coding data and notebooks for field notes.
A donation of $500 funds each student's individual project so that they have the tools they need to showcase the results of their research in the manner they wish.
A donation of $1000 pays the fee for a videographer to record the progress of our project and make a short documentary.
