In this talk, Dr. Hope examines critical consciousness as a protective factor, and possible coping strategy, against experiences of racism that negatively affect mental health for Black adolescents. Racism has negative mental health implications for Black adolescents (Benner et al., 2018). Critical consciousness (critical reflection, critical agency, critical action) may be one way that Black youth combat oppression and the resulting negative effects (Hope & Spencer, 2017). It is also possible that critical action exacerbates the negative mental health effects of racism. Participants were…

Documenting the human experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial to preserving the history of this extraordinary time in which we live. Documenting youth experiences during the pandemic is beneficial to not only gaining insights from our youngest citizens about how they were impacted by COVID-19, but also how student research about the causes and impact of the pandemic can promote historical empathy. Research is growing about the challenges and, in some cases, potential benefits that students, teachers, schools, and communities faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This presentation…

The beginning of the 2020 school year will be unlike any other.  Now more than ever schools and districts must take into account the social and emotional needs of students and teachers. How will they respond to being back in school under restrictive protocols?  How can teachers build community if they must begin the year virtually?  What role can social studies instruction play in meeting the SEL needs of students? National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), the Collaborative for Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), and inquirED explore these important questions. Panelists …