Future of Journalism Takes Flight at Youth Journalism Day at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Drones are the new black, as captured by this student at 14th Annual Youth Journalism Day with the Denver Post. [Photo: Lisa McIntyre]
The Youth Journalism camp creates a real-life environment for budding journalists. Students are treated the same as working journalists facing deadlines, and an expectation that they will rise to the occasion to work hard on a story.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Denver Post Youth Content Manager Dana Plewka facilitates her 14th Denver Post Youth Journalism Day. [Photo: Lisa McIntyre]
“We want to give them a place where they have a public voice,” Plewka says.
The youth platform fills a void and prepares the kids to participate in their high school yearbook and college newspapers. Students discover the program through word of mouth, sibling and peer participation, and by advertisements in the Denver Post. Elementary and middle school students who are interested in news reporting are invited to apply.
The end of their day, the students present their stories with their team in a presentation to their friends and family. “It’s like Christmas,” Plweka says. “The kids are so excited to share what they have learned.”
DRONE-ING

Metropolitan State University of Denver supports upcoming journalists and sponsors this annual event with the Denver Post. [Photo: Lisa McIntyre]
MSU video-editing instructor, Dave Kinney, surprised the YJD students by flying a drone around the room. Kids raised their hands to ask questions and take photos of this new technology that is changing the face of the world. Drones don’t just change the way stories are reported, they help farmers check their stocks, help viewing fires and natural disasters preserving resources such as people and money.
“There are many future careers using drones, so you’re not limited to journalism,” Kinney told the kids during his enlivening presentation. They provide access to things that have been either impossible to get, or dangerous for people to do. Opportunities with railroads, environmental planning and under the oceans and into unseen territories.
*****
For more information on ColoradoKids Reporting and Colorado Youth Day, go to:
By Lisa McIntyre
Posted Thu, Aug 2, 2018