This document outlines a social experiment project for teens to investigate adult bias against teenagers. Students can choose from several project options, including conducting a social experiment by changing their appearance and observing how they are treated, interviewing adults about their positive and negative experiences with teens, examining store policies targeted at teens, or doing "person on the street" interviews showing adults pictures of teens dressed differently. The overall goal is to create a press kit to raise awareness among adults that not all teens are alike, that a few bad apples don't represent the whole group, and of the positive impact teens can have. The project will be done individually but some initial work and brainstorming can be done with others. Questions to consider include whether what teens wear

1. A Few Bad Apples
“How does who I am affect the way the world interacts with me?”
We know that a “few bad apples” in the community and in the media can leave the
impression that today’s teens are all alike—rude, obnoxious, disrespectful-you name
it.
But is it true here? Does that feeling exist everywhere?
And if it does, what can be done about it?
Project: Attack the problem of adult bias against teens while answering the driving
question.
Choose one of the following:
Social Experiment
• Go to your regular places with the “regular” you. Make observations on how you are
treated with verbal and nonverbal language. Then, change your persona and go to
different places as a “different” you. Observe your treatment with verbal and
nonverbal language. Go to multiple places for comparison data. Interview people
involved afterwards to see why they treated you in such a manner. Record all
observations. Create written or video reflection journal.
Past Experiences Interviews
• Interview adults to find multiple examples of positive experiences they have had with
teens. Also, find adults who have had negative experiences with teens. Find at least 3
examples of each. Also interview the adults to see if they remember how they were
treated when they were teens. Write the interviewees’ responses and examples.
Create a written or video journal reflection.
Current Policy Interviews
• Find policies made specifically for teenagers in stores in the community. Interview
managers and owners to determine the purpose of the policy and hold discussions
with the managers on the policies’ effectiveness. Write the interview responses.
Create a written or video reflection journal with your findings.
Person on the Street Research

2. • Hold “person on the street” interviews with average adults. Show them the
same teens dressed differently in pictures and record their thoughts and
comments. Create a personality card to see if you can sway an adult’s
response. Write the persons responses. Create a written or video reflection
journal.
Ultimate goal: Create a press kit to spread the positive impact of teens in this
generation in which
• Adults are made aware of their personal bias towards your age group
• Adults are made aware of the good things that teens do
• Adults are made aware of “A few bad apples” don’t spoil the bunch
Specifics:
This is an individual aspect of the project. You may do any of the activities with
others. However, your documentation and reflections need to be individual.
You will have work time in class to organize your thoughts, create questions,
make calls to business to schedule appointments, but obviously, the gathering of data
will need to be done outside of school.
Due Date:
Questions
What are some driving questions we need to keep in mind as we work on this
project?
Ø Does what teens choose to wear make a difference in bias?
Ø Who am I? How do my actions add to adults thinking well or poorly of
teens?
Ø How do the actions of a few have consequences for the many?

3. Ø What if society is right?
Ø
Ø
Ø