The Summer Research Institute (SRI) engages high school students in research that addresses equity and social justice in the Cuba Independent School District (CISD) community in Northern New Mexico.  Offered each summer, starting in 2021, this 3-5 week academic program develops students’ knowledge of social justice issues and research methods with the goal of increasing students’ engagement in school and district level decision making. The demographic profile of SRI researchers mirrors that of CISD’s primarily Native American and Latine student population, and the program mixes students by grade level and across identities.

Each year faculty and graduate student researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder Research Hub for Youth Organizing (Research Hub) co-design and co-lead the program with CISD teachers.  In 2021 the SRI focused on education justice, in 2022 food justice was the focus, and culture and identity was the focus in 2023. The SRI curriculum includes several local field trips and community speakers.  At the end of each SRI students present their finding to the broader Cuba, New Mexico Community.

The SRI is part of a broader, CISD transformation initiative intended to increase educational equity by centering race and culture in curriculum and supporting students who have historically been marginalized within the school system. In addition to building student knowledge and voice, the program provides opportunities for students, teachers, and community members to build stronger relationships. It introduces students to different higher education and career pathways.  The SRI also develops students’ professional skills while supporting social and emotional learning relevant to the workplace and higher education. Finally, the program provides teachers with professional development about culturally and linguistically sustaining teaching and learning strategies.

In addition to significant investment by CISD and CU Boulder, this project has been support by CU Outreach and Engagement,  the Women Investing in the School of Education (WISE) fund, and the Kellogg Foundation.

• Program Evaluation

  Additional Info

  CU Boulder staff and students completed a formative evaluation of the 2022 Summer Research Institute (SRI). They worked with a community advisory committee to document the activities and functioning of the SRI. CU Boulder Office for Outreach and Engagement funds are supporting follow up evaluation of the 2023 SRI.

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  Location

  outside colorado

  Dates

  Ongoing

  Public or Private

  Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

  Program Fee

  Not Applicable

• Creating spaces for languages in the classroom

  Additional Info

  This graduate student led research focuses on the linguistic and cultural richness of a Summer Research Institute within rural New Mexico. It looks at the actions and practices of languaging among bi/multilingual teachers and their students and how their linguistic and cultural identities are carried and/or not carried over into the classrooms.

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  Location

  outside colorado

  Dates

  Ongoing

  Public or Private

  Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

  Program Fee

  Not Applicable

• Teacher Histories in Communities of Color

  Additional Info

  This graduate student led research focuses on Teacher of Color identities through a study of co-designing and implementing curriculum. This qualitative study seeks to highlight the histories, practices and narratives that mediate teachers’ pedagogical decision making and are intertwined with their identities to better understand and support teachers and students of color in their joint learning.

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  Location

  outside colorado

  Dates

  Ongoing

  Public or Private

  Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

  Program Fee

  Not Applicable