MUNSTER | Brainstorming questions to ask sources. Taking notes from interviews. Discussing story angles.
Those tasks are part of a journalist's typical day. For a group of Hobart fifth-graders, learning those techniques is part of their introduction to the world of media.
With the support of The Times Media Co. and the School City of Hobart, 28 students from Joan Martin Elementary School launched Bright Media Co. in December. Their mission is to report on positive news at their school and in the community through social media.
The students are writing stories and creating videos to post on The Times' hobartcommunity.com, YouTube and Facebook.
"I think that it's like a fun experience doing Bright Media Co., and we're really just trying to have fun and learn more and write," student Ethan Mosqueda said.
Damian Rico, director of The Times' community websites, said the effort is a pilot program and he's glad the students have been able to create a business venture with the tools they have learned. Rico often refers to the students as "professionals" because they ask thought-provoking questions and are eager to learn about the industry.
But even after students complete the fifth grade, Rico said the skills they learn also could boost their proficiency in other subjects and build their interest in entrepreneurship.
"For them to be so actively engaged at such a young age, I figured we have to tap into this source," Rico said.
The Bright Media team toured The Times' operation Tuesday and interviewed employees to better understand the media business. Awestruck students walked around the printing presses and newsroom operations before peppering staff with questions and furiously scribbling comments on paper. Later in the day, the students gave a presentation to The Times Operations Committee.
Fifth-grader Mikey Barella said the visit was pretty cool, and he observed at a newspaper "you have to do multiple tasks all the time."
Hobart schools Superintendent Peggy Buffington said she would be interested in lending support to any school interested in starting a mini-media company.
"It is far more reaching than literacy in the curriculum," Buffington said in a statement. "The initiative and leadership qualities these students possess are what our business leaders in Northwest Indiana area looking for with new hires."
School teacher Heather Steege said it's also nice that students have the ambition to reach out to people in the public eye. The group also has interviewed Buffington and Hobart Mayor Brian Snedecor. Student Alexa Ray said she'd like to reach out to singer Justin Bieber, and another student wants to talk to wrestling star John Cena.
"This is a group of students who are high ability and are going to stay together for quite a bit longer," Steege said. "The possibilities are endless. They are able to take this company away with them."
