Why YPS? Part I

Policy Analysis and Research Skills: The Youth Policy Summit challenges students to examine an important public policy issue in depth.  Starting in the spring semester of their junior or senior year of high school, participants undertake a comprehensive research project about the Summit topic- water resources, urban sustainability, or energy issues- to understand the basics and meet the players involved.

Throughout the Summit week participants build on this base of knowledge through research, group discussion and a morning spent interviewing experts in the field.  Once students feel that they have a strong understanding of the public policy issue, YPS facilitators guide them through a mediation process that requires participants to not only apply what they have learned, but to find creative solutions based on their research.  YPS participants are gaining practical research skills and applying them to solve a tough problem, making learning fun, interactive and rewarding!