Backpack Journalism - The REAL DEAL WITH REAL NEWS!

Click here for Mobile J BACKBACK JOURNALISM.

Click here for Mobile J DIRECTING THEATER. (VIDEO here)

Click here for Mobile J BIOLOGICAL ILLUSTRATION. (VIDEO here)

Click here for Mobile J  YOUTH LEADERSHIP. (VIDEO here)

Click here for Mobile J MICRO-CONTROLLERS.

BACKPACK JOURNALISM - WHOLE STORY WITH VIDEO.

BACKPACK JOURNALISM - VIDEO.

All the World’s a Stage: Directing Theatre with Isaac Eddy

Virginia Snyder, Grace LaFromboise, Natalie Mattson

This weekend (February 8-10th 2019) on the rural Goddard College Campus, hidden just outside the state’s capital, the Governor’s Institute for Directing Theatre strand of the winter weekend took place in the Hay Barn theatre. Built in 1938, the Hay Barn has held many performances and showcased many talented individuals including William H. Macy, who went on to star in the hit show “Shameless.” The Haybarn theatre is now hosting students who want to further their acting and directing talents, who have a passion for the arts, and have a desire to work in theatre industries.

The Haybarn Theatre. (Photo credit: Grace LaFromboise)

The directing theatre class has been working on acting and directing their peers over the past few days. Students began their weekend by reading over a play. They then broke down and analyzed it, and are going even further to learn how to direct that same script. While they have been working on their self-produced final product, they have developed their understanding of theatre and furthered their skills in a way that will be helpful in their futures in not only theatre, but also other careers.

Directing Theatre students reading over a play. (Photo credit: Grace LaFromboise)

A Governor’s Institute experience is far from a regular school day or other educational intensive programs. Students shared that the program tops other programs in that the students here are eager to listen and learn, and everyone is very excited to be here. GIV offers a rare opportunity to participate in a personalized, rigorous and fun weekend of learning. In this strand, students who are passionate about learning the ins and outs of the theatre industry are able to build their resumes while doing so.

Students read over a play with instructor Isaac Eddy. (Photo credit: Grace LaFromboise)

On top of all of this, the educators have extensive background experience in their fields. They have adjusted their programs to give students a relevant and individualized education. Isaac Eddy, the director of the theatre program, was formerly a member of the iconic blue man group. Eddy now works at Northern Vermont University Johnson campus with theatre students there, who are very fortunate to have him in their corner. Eddy’s extensive knowledge around the industry gives his students a chance to work with the best of the best.

Students during a contra dance Saturday night. (Photo credit: Virginia Snyder)

The Governor’s Institute does not just end on Sunday afternoon when students pack up their bags
and head home again. This is an experience that remains deeply in the hearts and minds of all its
participants. In talking with alumni of Instructor Isaac Eddy’s summer theatre program at the
Governor’s Institute for the Arts, we found that their experience with GIV has shaped their lives out
of high school. Amanda Rosalbo and Molly LaFromboise, former students of Eddy’s explained that
the intensity of the program forced them and their peers out of their comfort zones. They gained
useful knowledge about verbal and nonverbal communication, public speaking, how to convey a
message, and the confidence to think on the spot in high pressure situations. LaFromboise shared
her thoughts on what she took away from GIA; “I’m a corporate finance and accounting major and
the public speaking skills I learned at GIA have been really helpful in college.” Whether or not a
student chooses an art institute, the universal skills gained from any GIV strand allows students to
tap into an incredible part of their mind and highlight their inner talent.

Aerial image of the directing theatre students. (Photo credit: Grace LaFromboise)

About the Authors

Grace LaFromboise from Bethel is a junior at White River Valley High School in South Royalton who
interns at the Herald of Randolph and wants to have a future as an attorney.

Virginia Snyder from Weathersfield is a junior at Windsor High School and wants to study
Political Science and Journalism.
Natalie Mattson is a junior at Spaulding High School in Barre who enjoys videography and journalism.

Drawing Conclusions - A look into The Biological Illustration stand at GIV 2019

Definitions ~ a reference in the context of this piece Strand - Extended workshop of choice, applied for with specificity by participants, which provides a group and focus to return back to while at GIV (2/9-2/10 2019 weekend included the following: Microcontrollers, Backpack Journalism, Biological Illustration, Youth Leadership, and Directing Theatre). Side Hustle - a personal passion, toeing the line of hobby and interest, that is just for you and functions as a source of excitement GIV - the Governor’s Institute of Vermont, a program with gathers, works with and celebrates young people in the context of their interests. This is achieved through strands and both winter weekends as well as summer institutes throughout the year. Flow - the state in which all portions of the brain, Neocortex, Limbic, and Reptilian, are activated and engaged in the task at hand to the extent of joyful losing track of time

Drawing Conclusions - A look into The Biological Illustration stand at GIV 2019

An extrapolated mission statement:

Biological Illustration at GIV aims to provide a platform to exercise, develop, and stretch artistic skills for young people willing to step outside of their comfort zones and into learning environments with intention. This interplays compellingly with student experience of school and respective side hustles. The contrast here is that of the environment. School represents a wide variety of interests and communities, or lack thereof - at least in aspects

The start of a deer skull drawing (photo credit: Mei Elander)

which are visible - which is conducive to frustrating complacency. The strand is a phenomenon familiar to many, constituting a significant draw towards programs like GIV. The difference here is congregation and celebration of shared interests, which is both inspiring and refreshing.

Stepping into the Biological Illustration classroom is like entering a whole new world; the calm, Tolkien-themed music flows through the room peacefully as the students quietly converse, low chatter filling the room. The young illustrator's hunch over their work eagerly, rarely looking up. Their fingers flit and fly over the paper, producing, what one might say, magic. Finally, looking down a series of densities, textures, and dimensions pop out at you, it’s as if you’re seeing the piece of nature. What is it? It’s biological illustration.

Avery Motyka working on a shell in biological illustration

(photo credit: Helena Raddock)

Biological Illustration brings the aspect of science into drawing: it’s all about creating the most realistic image possible. Jordan Parenteau, a 10th grader, said that the first day they walked in and there were shells everywhere. Cynthia Moulton, the biologic illustration instructor of the weekend and biology professor, said that the students only drew with pencil, first drawing blind contours of shells. A blind contour is for a limited amount of time, as short as 60 seconds. The pencil must always stay on the paper and you may only look at the shell itself. She went on to say that they all drew the same species of shell, but they tried to do it as accurately as possible so the drawing could be easily identified as what shell it was. Cynthia ’s mantra, as told by several students was, “just draw what you see”

Saturday morning, February 9th, finds young illustrators continuing to draw shells with accuracy and proportionality using pencils and pens of extensive diversity.

A collage of several students illustrations (Photo credit: Mei Elander)

As Jorden Parenteau explains, “I’ve learned from Kelsey Parenteau, ( a TA (teacher assistant) at GIV) who said to look at all the shapes within the animal, and break the animal down into different shapes.” Cynthia ’s overall goal for these “little Picassos”  is illustrated in her statement, “a lot of times people want to fill in the piece with details from their memory I tell people not to use memory or expectations but instead focus on looking and observing and translate the actual specimen onto page.” but more importantly, she adds, to just take risks and know it doesn’t have to be perfect the first time, letting go of pieces that aren’t working.

Our biological illustration team (Picture credit: Mei Elander)

Reflecting on their experiences here, artists Sam Valin and Giselle Rainville muse about the peaceful, flow-like environment they have been able to explore their art in. In contrast with other experiences of art class, Valin describes a marked difference in surroundings, favor GIV’s encouraging, focused, and autonomous nature. He explains that working with so many talented people has provided an exciting push towards new styles and techniques and connections with other emerging artists. Rainville considers discrepancies between her time at the Governor’s Institute of the Arts and the winter weekend. She reflects on the value of time constraints - of the weekend’s length when compared to a full institute - both within the classroom and without in areas of bonding in addition to the similar vibe of support noticed in both art spaces. As the weekend comes to a close, it is important to consider the relevance of honoring and promoting involvement in programs such as and similar to GIV. It is especially important, in a culture predominated by apathy and favored towards efforts of business or STEM fields, to acknowledge and lift up creative expression. This creative expression, effectively set by GIV’s Biological Illustration strand, is one to appreciate and follow.

A rodent skull being drawn in class (Picture credit: Noelani Rupp)

BIOS

Noelani is most likely found writing, reading, or talking, playing with words really, she is curious about new ideas and perspectives, and would also like to - one day - spin around in a large wheelie chair and announce, “I’ve been expecting you”.

Mei is a freshman at Enosburg Falls High school she decided to join the program to expand her horizons and opportunities in regard to writing.

Helena is a junior at Vermont Commons School; she spends her time on the student council, as well as volunteering at the Warren Library and the Valley Animal Hospital.

Programming Your Future: A Deep Dive Into The World Of Microcontrollers

Diving into the world of Microcontrollers

In the glow of the high tech computer lab, I watched as Henry Swan fiddled with a diode that was giving him trouble. As he pushed it into the appropriate slot his device fulfilled its function and emitted a noise that lasted for a few seconds. “It is based on Han Solo’s blaster,” he told me. He had been working on this device diligently for the past few hours and was one of many students who was working and learning together as a part of the Microcontrollers strand at GIV. The Governor's Institute of Vermont sponsors Winter Weekends every February. Winter Weekends feature five separate “strands”, or areas of interest, each weekend. They range from Youth Leadership and Activism to Biological Illustration and Neuroscience.    


Two students diligently working on their project (Photo credit: Peter North)

This Winter Weekend is located on the beautiful Goddard College campus in Plainfield Vermont. The rolling hills and dense forests make you feel like you are in the middle of the Green Mountains. The campus features brightly colored dorms and a brick dining hall that contrast with the muddy ground and bare trees. The lab that the students are working in is tucked away inside the main building, away from the cold and snow.  


A photo of the campus (Photo credit: Liam Morton)

Inside the lab, the students are learning how to use a system called Arduino. There is a mix of experience levels as some people had almost no experience and others that are almost pros. Arduino is an open-source platform that combines hardware and software. Perhaps the most important component is the board itself. The boards are very customizable and can perform many functions such as reading inputs, activating sensors or turning on an LED. In order to get the board to complete these tasks, orders are sent via a programing language called IDE. Most importantly there is a massive community that has resulted in an incredible amount of databases and accessible knowledge that can help give you inspiration and guide you past stuck points.      


          A student is working on his project (Photo credit: Aiden Pricer-Coan)

With this easy to use equipment and support system, the students created many very interesting projects, including multiple crazy contraptions. From a controllable-seven-segment display to an RFID scanner lock system. Others took a more playful approach and added LEDs, motors, and speakers, to create a cacophony of noise, light, and movement. The flexibility to create almost anything lead to no two students creating the same thing. 


Two students collaborating (Photo credit Liam Morton)

The skills and techniques that the students learned in this strand will be with them for the rest of their life. When asked what he will do with the information he learned in this strand, Issac Alcide said that he would,  “Apply it to my resumé and apply it to my career,” When asked about how the institute had impacted her Julia Light said, “I personally got a different sense of coding through the microcontrollers strand.” Here at the Governor's Institute Winter Weekend students are being taught valuable skills that they can apply to their professional aspirations or hobbies later on in life.  



Co-Produced by:

Liam Morton, a student at Burlington High School 

Aiden Pricer-Coan, a student at Champlain Vally Union High School

Peter North, a student at The Sharon Academy

Youth Leadership: Young Vermonters In Training!

Click here for video NEWS story.

Pictured: Ken Teaching the class. (credit: Ari Randall)

The organization GIV (Governor’s Institutes of Vermont) hosts summer and winter strands inviting students from around Vermont to participate in different subject matters catering to their interests. Winter Weekends serve to allow students to dip their toes into GIV, while the summer institute provides the opportunity for students to delve deeper. Throughout the first Winter Weekend in 2019, which took place between February 8 and February 10, we witnessed the evolution of 5 strands--Directing Theatre, Microcontrollers, Youth Leadership, Biological Illustration, and Backpack Journalism. Today we will provide a glimpse into the Youth Leadership strand, and how the student participation in this strand and the mentor who teaches it has set up a unique opportunity for leaders to learn from each other and develop the necessary traits for facilitation.

Pictured: Ken talks with Peyton Jenkins during a discussion on birth order (credit: Ari Randall)

Outside of basic leadership training, the Youth Leadership strand, led by the School of International Training Dean Ken Williams, served to encourage all students to chime in on issues such as racial and gender stereotypes, elaborate on what it means to be a leader, discuss ethical vs logical tactics of leadership, list the modes of facilitation in public places, and break out of their comfort zones by sampling a concoction assembled with random ingredients. These conversations, experiments, and dialogues amounted to a once-of-a-lifetime learning experience for many of these young leaders. The skills gained here at GIV are applicable to any job in the workforce, giving these students a creative advantage as the leaders of tomorrow.

Pictured: one student encourages another to taste the concoction (credit: Ari Randall)

Among the specific questions posed to the students at the leadership strand include polarizing questions about the specific stereotypes often used to describe people of various genders, ethnicity, race, religion, etc. After listening to several student leaders talk about the horrible stereotypes they’ve seen people use, Ken Williams took hold of the discussion, condensing the shared sentiments among his audience into one necessary social norm. Ken told the students to “[not] make statements unless [they] have the evidence to support it” and to focus on a “deep analysis” of the issues rather than choosing to assume things about people who identify with a certain group.

Ken teaches the class (credit: Ethan Schmitt)

Another common topic of discussion raised by a myriad of students pertained to the charisma required for a leader. One student, Jackson Ray (Big Dawg) asked the question “How do you lead in a group who doesn’t want you to lead?” Ken provided a simple answer, instructing students to “Minimize weaknesses and increase strengths. Know your group. Become self aware. Become likable. It is better to not always raise your hand first in a classroom because people will resent you for it. Be disciplined enough to hear other people and what they have to say, and incorporate it into the discussion.” Ken’s emphasis on the importance of composure as a leader and the ability to listen reframed the discussion and put the complex issue of what it means to be a leader into simple terms.

Pictured: students discuss the effects of birth order (credit: Ethan Schmitt)

Ken Williams and the Governor’s Institutes program are working to prepare vermont’s youth for their future in the world. The next generation is preparing themselves to inherit the world, and this institute more than adequately helps them grow into their future roles as leaders. As GIV teacher Ken said, “we cannot wait for the future to prepare the next generation of leaders, we have to start teaching them now.”  

Story produced by Ethan Schmitt and Ari Randall.

Our BACKPACK JOURNALISM GIV 2019 news story CHALLENGE

Your CREATIVE CHALLENGE: By 11:45 am on Sunday morning, working in small teams, please produce and publish to our GIV NEWS AGGREGATOR (this blog) a multimedia backpack journalism news story on the following topics:

ROBOTICS @ GIV 2019 - Liam, Peter, Aidan.
BACKPACK JOURNALISM @ GIV 2019 - Sadie, Evelyn, Maddie.
BIOLOGICAL DRAWING @ GIV 2019 - Helena, Mei, Noelani.
THEATER DIRECTING @ GIV 2019 - Grace, Nat, Virginia.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP @ GIV 2019 - Ethan, Ari.

Your NEWS story should contain the following ingredients:

1) FIVE paragraphs of 5 sentences each (start with WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, HOW)
2) FIVE original embedded PHOTOS with captions and credits.
3) ONE 45-60 second edited embedded VIDEO  featuring 4 "A roll" voices/POV and B roll, too.
4) ONE sentence CREDIT BIOS for each of your story producers.

Who are we?

2) Download FEEDLY through the APP store.

REAL NEWS STORIES are RECENT, RELEVANT, RELIABLE, HISTORICALLY CONTEXTED, HEGEMONICALLY HIP, and HARMONIOUS (multiple POV).

FAKE NEWS STORIES are not.

"Fake News" is a weaponized term (Buzzfeed to HRC to DJT) used to: 1) describe "propaganda" (one sided news produced to persuade) ;2) demonize news stories or channels one doesn't agree with.

As a critical news consumer, "train information to find you," rather than consuming news from 1 source, 1 personality, 1 app, 1 channel, or social media. FEEDLY!

1) Your full name and any nicknames we should call you.

Virginia Snyder - NN / DEMOCRACY NOW (TV)
Natalie Mattson - Nat (whatever) / NYT + CNN
Ethan Schmitt - NN / CNN, WashPo, and NYT
William Morton  - Liam / BFP in print + CNN
Grace LaFromboise - NN / NYT + WashPo, NBC 5, Herald, Valley News, VPR
Aiden Pricer-Coan - NN / NYT in print and CNN
Noelani Rupp / NPR and "All Sides" (collection of broad spectrum of news - plucks diff sources)
Helena Raddock / NPR + CNN
Sadie Chase-Tatko - NN / NPR + The Update (APPLE NEWS APP)
Peter North - Pete / BBC and Al Jazeera
Madelyn Friend - Maddie / NPR + CNN
Evelyn Seidner - NN / NPR and BBC
Ari Randall - NN / BBC radio + Crooked Media Podcasts, Al Jazeera
Mei Elander - NN / NPR + CNN

2) Your town of residence.

Virginia - Weathersfield, Windsor
Natalie - Barre
Ethan - Rutland (Town) - RHS
Liam - Burlington
Grace - Bethel
Aiden - Shelburne
Noelani - South Burlington
Helena - Warren
Sadie - Montpelier
Peter - Strafford, (Sharon Academy)
Maddie - Montpelier (Middlesex)
Evelyn - Middletown Springs (Manchester B + B)
Ari - Milton
Mei - Berkshire (Enosburg HS)

3) Why did you sign up for this GIV 2019 BACKPACK JOURNALISM strand?

Virginia - Expand multimedia horizons with journalism.
Natalie - Major in broadcast journalism and doc film.
Ethan - Further knowledge on film media and journalism
Liam - experimenting in various "things" (9th grade)
Grace - journalism internship @ Randolph Herald - be better that it!
Aiden - Interested in current events and politics - learn more about J and how info is gathered
Noelani - Expand skillset, add multimedia skill sets to your writing
Helena - writing thumbs up, explore genres of writing
Sadie - know how to be more critical consumers of news
Peter - interest in photojournalism - seeking to explore
Maddie - learn more about J, photo J, pictures, travel the world (cultural J)
Evelyn - write articles for school newspaper, BUT more experience.
Ari - interested in politics, and government, understand the 4th Estate
Mei - like to write, learn about more opps

4) Your professional aspirations are______?

Virginia - IDK, maybe international relations and politics, or photojournalism.
Natalie - Work for NYTimes, and create docs about political issues in other countries.
Ethan - Poly Sci, law school, criminal litigation, enter politics, move to DC
Liam - IDK
Grace - Lawyer. (Attend NE U)
Aiden - work for Apple or go into politics
Noelani - involve social justice, writing, and anthro
Helena - Psychology...
Sadie - Women's Health
Peter - ????
Maddie - travel J, social work
Evelyn - INTNTL affairs, service learning / relief, (Guatemala) ENVS...
Ari - college, JD, criminal lawyer, government
Mei - advocate for social justice, educational rights in 3rd world countries (UN SUST goals)

5) Your "side hustle" is____?

Virginia - school policy and advocacy. Changing school policies.
Natalie - sports - lacrosse.
Ethan -tenor sax and golf
Liam - tennis and trumpet
Grace - soccer, guitar
Aiden - soccer, track
Noelani - lead 4H, Irish dance, write for school paper, farm (chix, rabbits, and sheep), read, artwork, ski, #SJ union, "Howling Herald"
Helena - student government, and volunteering
Sadie - interning with a midwife
Peter - hunt with dad (muzzle loader, rifle, bow)
Maddie - volunteer at women's domestic violence shelter
Evelyn - ride horses, tennis, school ENV CLUB (petition - single use plastic bag ban)
Ari - volunteer at PP, debate team, mock trial, yearbook, math team, track (discuss / shot put)
Mei - run XC and play piano

6) Your most favorite and least favorite thing about our 21st century NEWS culture is___?
                                            +                                                         -

Virginia -            create "news we can use"                   dualistic political polarization                 
Natalie -       news will find you if it is important         monied interests and news influence
Ethan -      scanning news for dom+foreign policy      how media are used for DEMON
Liam -       how accessible news is now (digital)         "fake news" (ex: Queen of England dead?)
Grace -      diversity of what and where news is           overly biased political "news"
Aiden -    physical Sun news (NYT)/digital news       role that #SM plays in "news"
Noelani - accessibility of digital news (empower)     "echo chambers"+festering unchallenged ideos
Helena -   how fast"news" can spread                           the speed with which "fake news" spreads
Sadie -    accessible                                                       bias easily sways news consumers
Peter -       """                                                                "confirmation bias" (read and watch and listen)
Maddie    ""                                                                   NEGATIVE NEWS 24/7 - positive??
Evelyn - PODCASTS - time shifting, device shift        "fake news" is all encompassing
Ari -         platform-specific news and access           1) short attention span, 2) IMAGE obssessed
Mei - halfway across the world (find news)                lack of laws protecting Journalists globally   

7) Your biggest "burning question" about NEWS today is____?

Virginia - what's the best way to convey an important news message in this hyper-cluttered news culture?

Natalie - Is there any news media that completely denies "dark money" (read the BOOK) or propaganda/advertising during elections? (SUPER PACS, for example - George Soros, Koch Brothers, Robert Mercer, or Elizabeth Mercer)

Ethan - to what extent do claims of "fake news' delegitimate journalism, and can we fix the "hot mess"?

Liam - A good place to start a writing career? (Novel, journalism, others?)

Grace - How do you tell what "fake news" is?

Aiden - when did the term "fake news" gain traction and how does it affect J cred?

Noelani - whose voices are NOT being heard in "news" stories and platforms? (3rd parties)

Helena - hearing other POV on social media, news, relationship between the two (Snapchat, Insta)

Sadie - how to "read" news" and form your own opinions?

Peter - is it really possible for news to be truly unbiased?

Maddie - how do news platforms prioritize articles that SELL versus meet "public good"? Are ALTS?

Evelyn - J as a profession - do you have to pursue a specific genre?

Ari - idealize "neutral J" (Objectivity) and all J is biased, what is "ethical Journalism"?

Mei - what would it be like to be a journalist?

KEY IDEAS:

"Confirmation bias" - we seek out news that confirms what we already think we know or believe (tribes)
FEEDLY - add to phones
ANALOG / DIGITAL AGE - news environments have change