The SYRI, which is in its 7th year of operation, offers youth seven weeks of extensive training in participatory action research on a topic of their choice. "We picked teen dropout," says Crystal Hernandez, 14, "because we feel it's an issue we can do something about. We want to help others stay in school or go back to school because without an education you can't get a good job."

As part of ICR's larger Action Research Training and Development program, SYRI trains youth in research methods and data collection skills, and teaches them how to use research results to create positive community change. Over the summer, SYRI participants are employed through the Summer Youth Employment Program of the Capital Region Workforce Development Board. These young researchers are interviewing other youth and professionals and surveying their peers around the issue of teen dropout and its potential causes, including stress factors such as drug use, teen pregnancy and family problems. They are also mapping locations where drugs are being used and sold and their proximity to area schools. With cooperation and support from summer youth employment programs at Hartford Street Youth Project, City Scan, Hartford Adult Education, Dutch Point Boys and Girls Club, CREC, Yo' Hartford, and Project Crecer, the youth researchers were able to collect survey, pile sort, group and individual interview data. Additionally, they are using visual documentation both as a research method and as a way of illustrating some of their findings; and conducting pilesorts and other elicitation techniques.

"The youth select an issue that's important to them, go out and research the issue, analyze the data, and present their results," says Damion Sincere Morgan, Prevention Research Educator at ICR. "Through this process they learn how much power they have as a group of youth. They also get a good understanding of social negotiation skills and learn about responsibility and accountability and how to work effectively with others. These skills are essential for future work," he adds.

A special grant from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts allowed the youth to participate in a supplemental training in an art methodology—photography—that was directly connected to their research in visual research." I am completely amazed at how youth are able to connect systematic research and photography so naturally" states Victor Pacheco, SYRI Prevention Research Educator and Artist.

Another component of the SYRI is the involvement of Senior Youth Research Educators, such as 16-year old Nikita Carmen, who have participated in other ICR youth initiatives and now act as a peer leaders and assistant facilitators. "I like working with other youth on topics that affect us," says Nikita. "We are part of the community and it's important that we help youth in Hartford."

For more information about the SYRI, contact Marlene Berg, Associate Director of Training, at 860-278-2044, x226.