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PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs FAQs

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Learn more about PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs here.


How does a school become part of the Student Reporting Labs Program?
Schools must apply to become a Student Reporting Lab — via an application available on the SRL website.

Are there any specific requirements a teacher should have to be accepted?
Labs work best in classes that meet at least twice a week or for a long period of time once a week. Most Labs are journalism, broadcast, after-school clubs or media production classes and require basic camera kits and editing software or some kind of equivalent starter equipment.

What is the timeline for the application process -from the moment the teacher fills out the application to the moment s/he is accepted?
The application is rolling, but the beginning and end of the school year are generally the best times to apply. At the end of the year, Student Reporting Labs staff are able to invite teachers to their annual teacher academy to help them get started on the right foot when they return to school, and at the beginning of the school year, it’s easier to jump in.

What happens when the teacher is accepted into the program? What does a SRL look like?
Once a teacher is accepted into the program, they are assigned a contact at PBS NewsHour Student Reposrting Labs who supports them through the entire year.  The teacher receives the curriculum for the year (including 2-4 themed prompts for students to work on),  a timeline for deliverables, and more.  The teacher is also connected to a local station like PBS SoCal for additional support and mentorship.

The application asks for editing software and recording equipment, is the school/district responsible for providing this?
Classrooms should have basic camera kits and editing software or some kind of equivalent starter equipment. Having access to this equipment through the district or another partner may work too, but that access must be consistent throughout the school year.

Etiwanda High School students shoot on location at Channel Islands National Park in 2017. | PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs
Etiwanda High School students shoot on location at Channel Islands National Park in 2017. | PBS SoCal

Have more questions? Contact Student Reporting Labs here.

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