What Student Journalists Can Teach Us About Civic Engagement

As the nation reflects on the 250th anniversary of the United States and looks ahead to the next election cycle, educators have a unique opportunity to learn directly from young people about how they understand and participate in civic life. In this webinar, student journalists from PBS Student Reporting Labs will share original video projects from their annual Summer Academy and audio stories from the On Our Minds podcast that explore the communities and perspectives that matter most to them. Through conversation about their storytelling process, learn firsthand how students identify compelling narratives and use journalism to engage deeply with their communities, history, and key issues. Educators will leave with practical insights into how authentic storytelling and student journalism can foster civic engagement and media literacy in their own classrooms.

Educators will walk away with:
– A deeper understanding of how young people are thinking about civic identity, community, and participation in the context of America 250 and the upcoming midterm elections.
– Practical ideas for using student journalism and storytelling to cultivate inquiry, media literacy, and civic engagement across grade levels.
– Strategies for creating classroom experiences that empower students to investigate issues they care about, amplify diverse perspectives, and connect learning to their communities.

Audience:
Middle school, high school, and college educators. Journalism instructors and students.