At Coal Ridge Middle School, students are expressing creativity and sharing their voices through a student-led podcast. The podcast, currently called the “CRMS School Sponsored Podcast”, began with the goal of incorporating student voices, sharing information, discussing topics such as school-related clubs and extracurricular activities, emphasizing the importance of student involvement based on their own experiences, and promoting positive behavior school-wide. Bonnie Palmer, Coal Ridge Middle School Technology Teacher, spearheads the podcast initiative, providing support and leadership to students.
Participation in the podcast studio is open to all students. Classrooms utilize the studio through collaboration with the RaD Lab, while Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) leaders use it to create the recordings. Students plan and schedule episodes during their own time with the guidance and support of Mrs. Palmer. Currently, the podcast consists of three broadcasters and two producers/editors.
The podcast was funded through a grant from St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation, and in partnership with St. Vrain’s Technology Department, students have been able to test the equipment along with different set-ups for their podcast. “We have piloted a wireless microphone set, which enables students to conduct interviews that can be included in the podcasts,” shared Palmer. “Thanks to their contributions we have discovered more applications for broadcasting in the educational setting such as a classroom station, small group use in the library or RaD lab, for presentations in the classroom, and to include on Schoology for others to listen to and learn about their content.”
As students create and record their podcast episodes, they implement the design thinking process. They begin by researching topics that are relevant to their peers, staff, and school culture. They utilize the information gathered to narrow down and define the specific topic for discussion. This process includes ideating four to five subtopics, with at least three points to cover for each subtopic, allowing students to effectively structure their content.
“These podcasts are a great way for students to discuss literature, demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and explore real-world applications,” said Palmer. “Students use lesson vocabulary to articulate their understanding of lesson content while using words in context to demonstrate meaning.”
Students shared that their involvement in the podcast has served as a positive influence for the broader Coal Ridge school community. They have developed new friendships and gained more experience with public speaking. “The podcasts let students express themselves, showcasing their personalities and encouraging creative and entertaining presentations,” said Palmer. “The goal is to broaden our topics to include community themes and share our podcasts publicly as we gain more experience.”