STUDENT TASK FORCE

We started our Student Task Force to include and amplify the voices of students in Upstream’s programming.

Learn about the Student Task Force experience from inaugural member, Aazaan.

Over the Summer of 2022, our inaugural Student Task Force accomplished the following:

  • Edited 24 Upstream Lessons

  • Built 10 New Tools for the Curriculum

  • Pitched to the Upstream Team & Board New Tool Additions

  • Provided Feedback on our Teacher Training

  • Learned from Wellness Practitioners including Brittany Simone Anderson and George Ramsay

  • Created Content for our Social Media Pages

Each Student Task Force member received a stipend for their time and work.

Meet Ricky, a freshman at the University of South Carolina & an inaugural member of our Student Task Force

We’re excited to announce we’re launching our third Student Task Force cohort in the summer of 2025.

Below outlines our timeline:

  • February 3rd, 2025: Application opens

  • April 11th, 2025: Application closes at 5pm MT/4pm PT/7pm ET

  • May 2nd, 2025: Students are notified about the status of their application

  • May 5th, 2025-May 9th, 2025: 15 minute virtual onboarding meeting

  • June 16th, 2025—July 31st, 2025: Student Task Force members meet three-times per-week to edit Upstream lessons, learn from wellness practitioners, and adapt Upstream’s tools to be led by students (see below for schedule breakdown)

Student Task Force Schedule

Starting Monday, June 16th, 2025, the schedule for the Student Task Force is as follows for eight weeks over Zoom:

  • Mondays: Task Force Meeting from 1-3pm PT/2-4pm MT/3-5pm CT/4-6pm ET

  • Tuesdays: Wellness Session from 1-3pm PT/2-4pm MT/3-5pm CT/4-6pm ET

  • Wednesdays: Independent Work Time for 2 hours to edit lessons and provide feedback on lessons

  • Thursdays: Task Force Meeting from 1-3pm PT/2-4pm MT/3-5pm CT/4-6pm ET

*The Student Task Force will not meet on Juneteenth and July 4th.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are students paid to participate on the Student Task Force?

Yes, students are paid $15/hour for their participation; totaling $900.

Who can participate on the Student Task Force?

Students that attend an Upstream school. Students must be an incoming high school freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or incoming college freshman. You must have experience with the Upstream program to apply.

What happens during meetings?

Student Task Force members practice tools from the Upstream curriculum, read through new lessons, provide feedback on the lessons, and annotate changes to the curriculum.

Who leads the meetings?

Meetings are led by this year’s Special Projects Coordinator, Moriah Proyect, as well as Tessa Zimmerman, Executive Director, and Gina Leach, Director of Programs.

Am I allowed to miss meetings?

Yes. You can miss up to two meetings. After missing two meetings, you’ll meet with Moriah to discuss your engagement moving forward.

Are the meetings in-person?

All meetings occur via Zoom.

Have additional questions? Email Tessa at: tessa@upstreamedu.org.

All Student Task Force Members attend Upstream Partner Schools including:

South Carolina Governor’s School for Arts & Humanities (Greenville, SC)

Cedars Next Generation Academy (Austin, TX)

DSST: Conservatory Green High School (Denver, CO)

Millennium Brooklyn High School (Brooklyn, NY)

Central Park East High School (New York, NY)

DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School (Denver, CO)

Northfield High School (Denver, CO)

Sage Hill School (Newport, CA)

North High School (Denver, CO)

West High School (Denver, CO)

Denver Online School (Denver, CO)

Hiawatha Academy (Minneapolis, MN)