Join Our Youth Design Team!

How did you learn to navigate social media?  Do you want to help others learn how to use digital platforms for good?

Media Power Youth is a nonprofit organization that empowers youth to use media in creative and responsible ways that support well-being. We recognize that media and technology have the power to enrich our lives by connecting us to new people and ideas and yet at the same time, these communication tools can create anxiety and conflict. We are seeking talented youth leaders from across the country to help us build a new educational program on how to navigate social media in healthy ways. Together with the STEM Discovery Lab at UNH Manchester, we’ll explore how our technology habits can affect mental health and relationships and design educational experiences to prepare young people for the challenges they will likely encounter in digital spaces. Participants will create a project-based learning module for middle school students driven by one underlying question: What do teens need to do and know in order to build a strong, safe, and supportive online network?

How to Apply

High school students in grades 9 through 12 are invited to apply online by October 12th (see forms at the bottom of this page). Selected students will meet via Zoom on Thursday afternoons from 3:30pm to 5:30pm from October 22nd to December 17th. Students must have reliable internet access to participate and consent to provide feedback on their experience through a focus group and/or survey questionnaire at the end of the program. The student must be nominated by a school educator, counselor, or administrator. Students will have the option of staying involved with Media Power Youth (if they choose) to help implement their ideas with middle school students in the Spring of 2021. The program is free to selected students.

This opportunity meets a variety of ISTE and health educational standards and students may be able to earn extended learning opportunity (ELO) credits for their participation. Students seeking ELO credits are advised to note this on their application so that we can coordinate as needed with their local school district. Decisions on whether or not to grant ELO credits are made locally by school administrators.

Questions

We look forward to collaborating with youth leaders on this important work! By sharing their perspective on the challenges youth face online, teens will be helping to foster digital communities that are authentic and supportive for friends, family, and younger students. If you have any questions about the application or this program, please contact Heather Inyart at heather.inyart@mediapoweryouth.org or Sarah Grosvenor at Sarah.Grosvenor@unh.edu.

Application Materials

To make the application process as smooth as possible, we are utilizing Google forms instead of a paper application. Please click on the links below to complete and submit your application forms. If you are a student applying to our program, please provide the name of the teacher, counselor, or administrator who will be nominating you on your application and send him or her the link to the nominating form below.

Student Application Form

Nomination Form