This year, the Technology Crew at Open Meadow CRUE have been out in the community conducting research for their Gentrification Project.  The results are documented in a couple of dynamic reports.  Over the school year, the entire class has explored the neighborhoods of North Portland, conducting interviews with people on the street and gaining additional insight from the Oregon Historical Society.  The key topics of investigation for the project included race, community, housing, local politics, history, memory, gentrification, displacement, poverty, economics, storytelling, and conflict resolution.  Beginning last fall, the class set out to understand and document the realities of life in North Portland, where Open Meadow is located.  The end products are community interviews and a gentrification booklet. 

In other news, we would like to congratulate the Tech Crew on winning an award for their short film, “Community.”  In the film, students investigate the importance of community to a number of Portlanders.  The Alliance for Community Media Northwest Region, presented Teacher/Advocate Sarah Head with the award in mid-March at their “Best of the NW Video Awards”.  To see the film, visit the Ollie Youth Media site. 

Congratulations to Sarah & the Tech Crew!