Edison High launches new media program for students
School Publications Media class gives teens hands-on experience with graphics, photography and digital content creation.
Edison High School teacher Emily Waggoner, left, and sophomore Kelsi Holland pose with one of Holland’s designs on the school TV monitor, which was created in Waggoner’s new media class.
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Edison High School students now have another career pathway option with the launch of a new media program.
The School Publications Media class includes 27 students in grades nine through 12 who are creating graphics, photos and digital projects. Teacher Emily Waggoner said the course began this school year.
“With all of the technology on campus, we created a class so students could create the content,” Waggoner said. “They are making graphics and content for the scoreboard and the kiosk in the field house, and one of our hopes is to do a morning news segment.”
Planning for the class began during the summer, when school officials discussed ways to use the building’s technology to promote events. Students’ work is already being displayed on monitors throughout the school to advertise athletic contests and activities.
The program also received a $25,000 grant from the Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation to support STEAM courses. The funding provided five Canon EOS Rebel T7 cameras, a GoPro Hero12 Black action camera, a Fujifilm X-S10 digital camera and four tripods.
“The students have access to TVs in the buildings and it’s a good way to bring technology into an older building. They also understand how the scoreboard works, so we can develop something for that as well. It’s a newer class, so each student will get a different job each nine weeks and learn about film and management. They will get a glimpse into graphics and it touches upon work-based learning.”
The course has already proven popular and reached maximum capacity in its first year. “I have kids asking how to get into the class and they want to sign up next year,” Waggoner said. “It’s a full-year class and they can join if there is a spot.”
Sophomore Kelsi Holland said she enjoys the opportunity. “I love it. I like using Canva a lot and putting my creative ideas on TV. It’s very fun. The class is very interesting and I’d highly recommend it,” she said.
“They find out how things go from the classroom to the real world and see it in real life,” Waggoner said.
