Graduate student researchers raising funds to travel to National Association of School Psychology Convention Feb 18-22 in Washington D.C

Is it possible to use the classroom in order to help children develop greater social and emotional competence? Six graduate student researchers in Bay Area schools are asking the same question and what they find may have implications for adding a social/emotional component to the general classroom curriculum.

The latest scientific evidence in the field of neuroplasticity suggests that the brain can change through awareness and practice, and as a result, social and emotional skills can be developed. Project Happiness is a 9-week social/emotional curriculum designed to help students develop their understanding of happiness, appreciation, personal strengths, perspective, mindset, emotional management, empathy, and resilience. Project Happiness uses the best of positive psychology, neuroscience, mindfulness, and the science of happiness to take the participant on an experiential journey to get to know who they are, learn to master their emotions, connect compassionately with themselves and the world around them, and finally, to positively share their individual gifts and passions.

Graduate student researchers and School Psychology Interns Tara Medeiros, Stephanie Chen, and Kathleen Hazard are launching Project Happiness in classrooms in the Bay Area in order to test the effectiveness of the curriculum specifically and social and emotional learning in general.

“Because of the prevalence of bullying, violence, substance abuse, and suicide among adolescents, the research team feels it’s important to teach our children about what it means to positively and creatively connect with themselves and others.” said Ms. Medeiros. “It is our hope that these skills will help children have better social and academic outcomes.”

The team’s research proposal has been accepted by the National Association for School Psychology (NASP) and they’ve been invited to present their findings regarding Project Happiness and social/emotional learning in the classroom at the NASP convention in Washington, D.C. in February. The NASP convention represents an opportunity for the research team to enhance their professional practice via seminars, lectures, and round table discussions centered around hot topics in Psychology today. Furthermore, the researchers can bring knowledge gained back to their respective school districts around the Bay Area and to their School Psychology cohort at California State University, East Bay. Attending and presenting at the NASP convention is a valuable experience to the members of the research team and one that will help them enhance their careers as future School Psychologists.

In order to help fund their research in social and emotional learning for children (Project Happiness) and the trip to Washington, DC, the team of student researchers are asking the community for financial assistance. Donated funds would go towards the cost of attending the convention (registration fees, plane tickets, accommodations, and research expenditures.) This is an amazing opportunity for these graduate student researchers and one that may have future implications for teaching our children about social and emotional well-being.  

Donations by check should be made out to lead researcher Tara Medeiros and mailed to CSU-EB Researchers, c/o Gracefully Global Group, 22568 Mission Blvd No. 427, Hayward, CA 94541 through March 1st. Online donations are also accepted through Fundrazr.com. All donors who give before February 18th will receive thank you postcards from the nation’s capital signed by the researchers.