Middle School Students Find Journalistic Passion at Workshop

Educational research shows that for all students "real world" experiences are important in education. Brendan Chambers, one of ten middle school students selected to attend the 6^th Annual Media Matters Conference in Boston this month, gained insight to the world through his attendance.

"I had no interest or drive to be a journalist before the conference, but now I know the opportunities out there," he said.

Marissa Birne agreed with Chambers' thoughts.

"It was a wonderful experience to have the chance to write our own story and be given personal tips and advice from Randy R. Price, an award winning news anchor," she said.

Sponsored by The Boston Globe and UMASS Boston, the conference is intended to support and professionally develop educational programs and skill sets required in the field of journalism and the media. Course offerings are taught by professionals in the field and a wide range of workshop offerings are delivered such as, "News for Your Neighbors: Writing and Presenting Local News" with Price, "Around the World in Journalism" with Derrick Z. Jackson and "Having and Impact: How Journalists Change the World" with Sean P. Murphy.

25 course offerings were provided for over 600 attending teachers and students.

"There were many students from all over Massachusetts. It was exciting to have professional writers teach, because they taught the material in a way I had never experienced," Cali Kapp, a sixth grade student reported.

This year was the second year students from and students attended. English teachers Eunice Flanders (8^th grade) and Perry Nardone (6^th grade) led the trip.

Lauren Mock summed up the experience of the workshop by saying, "I learned a lot and had fun at the same time. If I had a choice to go back, I would."

Added sixth grader James Welch, "The Media Matters Conference was a real-life learning experience."